Established in 1954 originally as a civil engineering business by Norm Overmeyer and Ken Cowley. The company name “Nover” is an amalgamation of Norm’s first and last names. Nover was heavily involved in construction through the 1960s with the partners renovating and refurbishing a number of blocks of flats throughout Sydney as well as one-off construction projects such as the Visitors Stand at Drummoyne pool. This soon led to Nover establishing a joinery business which was used to supply cabinetry to the construction arm of the company.

Norm sold his share of the business in the late 1960s and Ken took over as the sole owner.

Ken’s background was in the wool industry, having spent many years working for a firm of wool brokers. As is the case today, products are not sold directly but through an established trading house. When his contacts in these trading houses learnt of his association with the building industry, Ken was offered the opportunity to take supply of and resell a number of building products. Initially this was a hodgepodge of items (even including items such as tyres and air hoses) but gradually this broadened to include a general range of building products.

“The joinery industry was very different in those days,” explains Steve Cowley, son of Ken, and now Managing Director of Nover. “There was no real cabinet hardware to speak of, for example, and all the cabinets were timber framed”.

Soon Nover began to import High Pressure Laminate and this range of products soon expanded to become the backbone of the business for the next 40 years. “As the industry changed over time, Nover grew its product lines and became more of a wholesaler specialising in joinery products,” adds Steve.

By the early 1980s the wholesaling side of the business had taken priority so the family made a decision to exit the joinery business which was sold to a third party. This happened soon after Steve joined the business in 1976 and he and Ken set about specialising in the cabinet making and joinery industries.

“I had a background in accounting so, when I first started, I was working in what you’d call the accounts department,” says Steve. “But I quickly realised that wasn’t for me so I made a sidestep into product management and sales which was a much better fit”.

Of course, the cabinet making and joinery industry was very different at the time Steve joined the company. “It was a far simpler industry in those days,” he recalls. “This was even before metal runners were the norm – it was all plastic components. And manufacturing was a very different ball game”.

Being such a specialist in this area, Nover was often leading the way and an early adopter of new products and new technologies. Its business has always been based on sitting across a variety of product families and very much driven by what joiners wanted and needed in their factories. “We sit across most sectors of the industry and our product range is the broadest of any supplier in the industry,” says Steve. “We have a plan but we’ve also allowed for organic growth that is driven by the industry and the feedback we receive from customers”.

As a market leader, Nover saw an opportunity for the supply of hardware and panels as well as consumables and ancillary products such as handles. But the product range has always included a variety of wood-based panel products including decorative surfaces and low-pressure melamine, plus a decent selection of hardware which has expanded as new technology and expectations from the design community required.

“Our customer base is extremely broad,” Steve explains. “It’s made up of kitchen manufacturers, cabinet makers, furniture manufacturers, shop fitters, joiners and fit out companies so our goal is to stock and sell all the major components needed across this diverse customer base”.

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As a business, Nover invests heavily in sourcing its products preferring to establish exclusive relationships where possible. Steve says Nover seeks to source products that match the philosophy of the business, and have the quality required for our Australian market, which they are able to sell at a price that matches the expectations of its customers. “We make sure we have a presence at international design shows and hardware shows, and we travel to visit factories as these all form an essential part of our research and staying in touch with new developments,” says Steve.

Having been in the industry for so many years, Steve has seen first-hand how much it has changed with the advent of technology and new manufacturing methods. “The biggest change I’ve noticed is that joinery businesses used to make everything – doors, benchtops, carcasses, the lot. As we moved away from laminate benchtops we’ve needed to work with specialist stonemasons and then specialist door painters, and glass splashbacks. So, now joinery businesses have to interact with so many more third parties to complete projects,” he explains.

When asked to predict the future of the cabinet making industry, Steve points to more specialisation requiring a narrower skill set as we compartmentalise the industry further and further. But, overall he sees the size of the industry growing, as will the size of projects being undertaken.

In terms of Nover’s plans for the future, Steve says the company intends to remain at the forefront of sourcing new products and supporting those products already in the family. “Whenever we have the opportunity of course we will try to be first,” Steve laughs. “But those opportunities don’t come along too often. Any vacuum left when a new product comes onto the market is very quickly filled and so our product range will evolve as it has to”.

Steve points to the introduction of two new product families which he feels rounds out Nover’s offering to the industry. The company has recently secured an arrangement with Salice for its hardware and ColourPyne for its range of board products. The company is well established with branches across the three eastern states of Australia and intends to remain 100% family owned.

When asked what he thinks makes Nover unique in this crowded part of the market Steve is quick to point to its employees. “Our philosophy is that our people are so important,” he says. “We employ well over 100 people in ten different locations and the average length of service is eight years – with some at up to ten or even 20 years”.

We’re excited to see what the future will bring for the Nover company, the Cowley family and the company’s employees so watch this space!

For more information visit https://www.nover.com.au/

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This new, united voice will provide significant benefits and more robust representation for those in the kitchen, bathroom, furniture and cabinetmaking sectors. The combined organisations will be able to better advocate for the industry at all levels of government, promote the interests of members and elevate the standards of design and manufacture in the industry.

The merger is still subject to a vote by KBDi members, but careful consideration has been given as to how to create the union and plot the pathway forward. Over the next six to twelve months, both organisations will work closely together, shaping future collaborations and determining how best to service this united industry.

Greg Grant, Business Manager for KBDi, said, “I have been working in this industry for over 40 years, and the opportunity to unite the design, manufacture and installation of kitchens, bathrooms and furniture making into one representative association is amazing and one not to be missed. I am extremely excited by what this union will deliver”.

Dean Brakell, CEO of ACFA, said, “This is a truly remarkable opportunity, and one ACFA is fully committed to. From design to installation, we will cover it all and provide members a truly integrated experience”.

ACFA and KBDi members were advised of the proposed merger at the end of August. KBDi members will have the chance to vote at an Extraordinary General Meeting on 25 September 2024. If accepted, members will experience the benefits of this new, stronger representation, including:

• Enhanced advocacy and representation – a unified voice provides a more significant impact both within government and the industry.
• Expanded networking and collaboration – members will network and collaborate with a broader community of professionals to foster creativity and create new business opportunities.
• New markets and resources – bridge the gap between design and manufacturing to help explore new avenues for partnership, growth and success.
• Comprehensive industry support – combined expertise and a wider array of resources will provide unparalleled support to both memberships.
• Elevated industry standards – the merger will ensure best practices are shared and implemented widely to improve the quality of work and enhance the industry’s reputation.
• More professional development – comprehensive training and development programs will help all members stay ahead of industry trends and technologies.

The representatives of both organisations are available for further consultation and discussion, so please reach out if you would like more information.

For more information, visit acfa.net.au/ or kbdi.org.au/home

Smart Appliances: The Heart of the Modern Kitchen

High-Tech Refrigeration

Smart refrigerators have evolved to become the centrepiece of the modern kitchen. Many brands now offer models with touchscreens, internet connectivity, and interior cameras, allowing homeowners to check contents remotely, manage grocery lists, and even receive recipe suggestions. Integrating these into a luxury kitchen involves selecting models that complement the overall design aesthetic, whether it’s sleek stainless steel or custom panelling that blends seamlessly with cabinetry.

Intelligent Cooking Appliances

Smart ovens and cooktops offer features such as remote monitoring, automated cooking programs, and voice control via virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. These appliances not only enhance the cooking experience but also add a touch of sophistication to the kitchen. Designers should focus on integrating these appliances into the kitchen layout in a way that maintains a clean and uncluttered look, possibly through built-in units and minimalist controls.

Automated Systems: Enhancing Convenience and Efficiency

Smart Lighting

Automated lighting systems allow homeowners to adjust lighting levels and colours through voice commands or smartphone apps. In a luxury kitchen, layered lighting can be programmed to create different moods; bright task lighting for prep, cooking and clean up or softer ambient lighting for dining, entertaining or relaxing. Integrating smart lighting involves strategic placement of fixtures and the use of concealed wiring to maintain the kitchen’s sleek design.

Voice-Activated Assistants

Devices such as Amazon Echo or Google Home can control various kitchen appliances and systems. These assistants can be integrated into the kitchen design by placing them in discreet yet accessible locations, such as under cabinets or within island countertops, ensuring they do not disrupt the visual harmony of the space.

Automated Ventilation

Smart rangehoods with sensors that automatically adjust fan speed based on cooking activity ensure optimal air quality and comfort. Many brands offer models that integrate with home automation systems. These can be seamlessly incorporated into the kitchen design by choosing built-in options or custom vent hoods that match the cabinetry.

IoT Solutions: Creating a Connected Kitchen Ecosystem

Centralised Control Systems

A centralised control system can manage all smart appliances and systems from a single interface. This creates a cohesive and user-friendly experience. Designers should consider installing control panels in easily accessible yet unobtrusive locations, such as inside pantry doors or on walls near the kitchen entrance.

Smart Kitchen Faucets

Touchless and voice-activated faucets add both functionality and luxury, and are becoming more popular in our new hygiene-focussed world. These faucets can be integrated seamlessly into the kitchen design by selecting finishes that match other fixtures and maintaining a consistent aesthetic throughout the space.

Integrated Charging Stations

With the proliferation of smart devices, having integrated charging stations in the kitchen is essential. Designers can incorporate wireless charging pads into countertops or create dedicated charging drawers that keep cables out of sight and maintain the kitchen’s streamlined look.

Integrating smart technology into high-end kitchens in Australia involves a delicate balance of innovation and design. By carefully selecting and incorporating smart appliances, automated systems, and IoT solutions, designers can create kitchens that are not only technologically advanced but also visually stunning and user-friendly. These modern kitchens offer unparalleled convenience, efficiency, and luxury, setting a new standard for contemporary living.

As the population ages and the desire to create inclusive spaces grows, designing kitchens that are both stylish and accessible has become an essential skill for Australian designers. Kitchens should be functional, safe, and accommodating for all users, including those with disabilities or aging-related mobility issues.

Understanding the Needs of Aging Clients and Those with Disabilities

Before diving into design specifics, it’s important to understand the unique needs of aging clients and individuals with disabilities. This includes considerations for mobility, reach, strength, and vision. The goal is to create a space that allows for independence and comfort while ensuring safety and functionality.

TKBB spoke to a number of experts in this area for their tips on designing a liveable and adaptable home. Liz Grimmett, designer and trainer with Designer Training Australia, says “Consider an even wider gap than the standard 1.2 metres between benchtops to allow for manoeuvrability of wheelchairs or walkers, and non-slip surfaces in the kitchen are a must. Lever taps are best for those with reduced hand function and I like to include power points and switches on a rocker which are easier to use”.

Clinton Norris, National Business Development Manager – Assisted Living for Hafele Australia, says that a liveable and adaptable home is one that can change with the needs of the occupants without the need for costly renovations. “We need to be thinking about the changing needs of individuals and enhancing the environment to facilitate independence. Independence is what gives us dignity and the design community has an opportunity to approach the built environment in a way that does not impede this independence,” he adds.

Best Practices in Accessible Kitchen Design

1. Layout and Space Planning

Traffic management

The main traffic pathway, connecting the sink, stove, and refrigerator, should be adapted to ensure ample space for movement and connectability between the spaces. Pathways should be at least 1.2 meters wide to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers, ensuring easy navigation and reducing trip hazards.

Manoeuvrable Benchtops

Incorporate benchtops at varying heights to accommodate different tasks and users. Look for motorised options that allow for moveable heights that allow the benchtop to be optimally positioned to suit the user and the function being carried out at the time.

Accessible Cabinets

Consider recommending options such as glass-fronted cabinets or open shelving that make it easier to see inside and reach items without the need for extensive bending or stretching. Pull-down shelves or motorised lowering and raising options can be installed in upper cabinets for added accessibility.

“You could also think about a 760mm section with no cabinets underneath to allow for wheelchair access,” suggests Liz. “But when you take away storage under bench you have to think about where else can you add it back in”.

2. Accessible Appliances

Side-Opening Ovens and DishDrawer Dishwashers

These appliances are easier to access than traditional models. Side-opening ovens prevent the need to lean over a hot door, while drawer dishwashers can be installed at a height that minimises bending which also assists with loading and unloading.

Induction Cooktops

Induction cooktops are recommended for older or less able users as they reduce the risk of burns, accidentally leaving the appliance on, or loose clothing being caught in an open flame. They add an extra layer of safety in that they cool down almost immediately.

Refrigerators with Pull-Out Shelves

These models allow for easier access to items without deep bending. French door refrigerators with a freezer drawer are also a good option as they minimise the need to lean down to access food.

Efficient Rangehoods

Ensure you specify a powerful rangehood to ensure cooking odours, as well as splatters from grease and cooking activity, are quickly whisked away.

3. Ergonomics

Lever-Style Handles

Lever handles on taps and doors are easier to use than traditional knobs, particularly for those with arthritis or limited hand strength.

Touchless Tapware

These taps are both hygienic and user-friendly, reducing the need for manual operation.

Low maintenance surfaces

Specify low maintenance surfaces that promote hygiene and reduce the need for over-zealous cleaning.

4. Lighting and Visibility

Task Lighting

Consider the positioning of installed lighting in and around work areas such as benchtops, stove and sink. Ensure general lighting is enhanced by task lighting that throws light directly onto the work surface, rather than from behind where it will cast a shadow.

“It sounds like a no brainer, but really good task lighting above workspaces in the kitchen can make it so much easier for everyone who uses that space,” says Liz. “Sensor lights are a great inclusion – both inside and outside the home – to help with navigating the space at night”.

Ambient and Natural Light

Maximise natural light through windows and skylights, and use ambient lighting to ensure the kitchen is well-lit. Dimmers can help adjust lighting to different needs and times of the day.

Contrasting Colours

Including strongly contrasting colours can assist those with vision impairments or memory issues to help identify work zones and more safely navigate around the kitchen space.

5. Storage Solutions

Pull-Out Shelves and Drawers

Full-extension drawer runners are a minimum requirement for a functional accessible kitchen but also investigate pull-out shelves for pantry areas to allow for full accessibility without bending or excessive reaching.

Rotating fittings

These can be installed in corner cabinets to make better use of space and provide easy access to stored items. Or consider rotating options that do not encroach on the usable space.

Adjustable Shelving

Allows customisation of cabinet interiors to suit the user’s specific needs and preferences, and is usually designed to suit particular items that need to be stored. Consider a motorised option for heavier kitchen appliances such as a stand mixer, so they don’t need to be lifted onto a benchtop for use.

“Our homes are often not designed to accommodate changing needs over time,” says Clinton. “The challenge is always to find the balance between architecture and practicality. And this can come down to something as simple as choosing a door – should it be a swing door, or a sliding door? Should the doors be automated? Will you specify a handle or a knob?”.

6. Integrating Style with Accessibility

Modern Design Aesthetics

Everyone deserves a stylish and functional kitchen, even in an accessible kitchen. Use modern, clean lines and high-quality materials to maintain a contemporary look. Integrate accessible features seamlessly to avoid a clinical appearance.

Custom Solutions

Customised cabinetry can be designed to accommodate individual items, such as the width of a wheelchair. Grab rails can be included (and double as handles, if needed) to assist with navigation. Internal organisational systems can make individual items easy to access, locate and pick up.

Stylish Safety Features

Grab bars, handles and other safety equipment can be specified that complement the kitchen’s design. Many manufacturers offer sleek, stylish options that blend with modern décor.

“When designing for accessibility it’s important to change the mindset to focus on how the environment can change over time,” adds Clinton. “The environment is what will hamper the liveability of the space and we all deserve an environment that’s conducive to our wellbeing and living well”.

Liz adds, “The Baby Boomer generation is a huge demographic and we want to encourage people to stay at home for as long as possible. This means our approach to the internal environment has to accommodate how our needs change over time – and that starts at the front door”.

As more Australians show a preference for living well in their own home, no matter their needs, it will become more important for the kitchen and bathroom design community to be aware of small inclusions in design solutions that can enhance lifestyles and play a vital role in allowing clients to stay at home for longer. These best practices will continue to evolve at home, ensuring that accessibility becomes a standard design consideration and that our kitchens are adaptable to the changing needs of users to support independence and enhance the quality of life for everyone.

In the world of high-end kitchen design, Australia has emerged as a leader by blending international trends with its unique sensibilities. Modern Australian kitchens are characterised by their seamless integration of global influences, resulting in spaces that are both innovative and reflective of diverse cultural inspirations. From European elegance to Asian minimalism, and American functionality, these influences are reshaping the look and feel of Australian kitchens, creating environments that are not only visually stunning but also highly functional.

As a regular visitor to international design shows, I’m always fascinated to see what’s being heralded as the latest in kitchen and interior design trends, and how these trends morph their way around the world, particularly when it comes to the adaptation within our unique Australian design aesthetic.

European Elegance and Craftsmanship

European design, particularly from countries such as Italy and Germany, has long been synonymous with luxury and sophistication. Australian kitchens increasingly feature sleek, minimalist lines, and those high-quality materials that are hallmarks of European style. The use of premium materials such as marble, porcelain, solid surface, and bespoke cabinetry crafted by skilled artisans adds elegance and aesthetic appeal to these spaces. European engineering, renowned for its precision and functionality, influences the incorporation of advanced hardware and innovative storage solutions, ensuring that Australian kitchens are not only beautiful but also highly efficient.

Scandinavian Simplicity and Sustainability

The Scandinavian design philosophy, with its emphasis on simplicity, functionality, and sustainability, has found a receptive audience in Australia. The clean lines, neutral colour palettes, and use of natural materials such as wood and stone align well with the Australian lifestyle and appreciation for the natural environment. Scandinavian influences encourage the creation of bright, airy spaces that maximise natural light, fostering a sense of calm and openness. The focus on sustainability is also evident in the choice of eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient appliances, reflecting a growing awareness of environmental responsibility among Australian designers and homeowners.

Asian Minimalism and Zen Aesthetics

Asian influences, particularly from Japan, bring a sense of tranquillity and minimalism to high-end Australian kitchens. The Japanese concept of ‘Ma,’ which emphasizes the use of space and the balance between objects, encourages clutter-free environments that prioritise functionality and simplicity. The integration of natural elements such as bamboo, stone, greenery and water features can create a serene, Zen-like atmosphere. Sliding doors, hidden storage, and multifunctional spaces are design elements that not only save space but also contribute to a clean, cohesive look.

American Innovation and Functionality

While we often don’t see too many correlations between American and Australian manufacturing, the American kitchen aesthetic is often characterised by its emphasis on innovation, practicality, and comfort. This influence is evident in the open-plan kitchen layouts that have become popular in Australia, promoting a seamless flow between cooking, dining, and living areas. The use of cutting-edge appliances, smart technology, and multifunctional islands enhances the functionality and convenience of the kitchen. American design also brings a focus on personalisation and customisation, allowing Australian homeowners to create bespoke kitchens tailored to their specific needs and preferences.

Fusion of Global Influences

One of the most exciting aspects of modern Australian kitchen design is the ability to fuse various international influences into a cohesive whole. This eclectic approach allows designers to draw on the best elements from around the world, creating kitchens that are truly unique and reflective of a global design perspective. Whether it’s the elegance of European craftsmanship, the simplicity of Scandinavian design, the tranquillity of Asian aesthetics, or the innovation of American functionality, the result is a dynamic and inspiring kitchen space.

With the information highway showing no signs of slowing down, it’s clear that global influences will continue to shape high-end kitchen design in Australia. We are known as a county that is open to diverse cultural inspirations and the absorption of knowledge from a wide variety of sources. By blending elements from different design traditions, Australian kitchens are not only setting trends but also redefining the standards of luxury and sophistication in the culinary space. Our standing on an international stage is further proof – if any were needed – that today’s Australian kitchens are at the forefront of design innovation, offering timeless elegance and unparalleled functionality.

TKBB spoke to Jo Clarke, Commercial Relationship Manager for Haymes Paint, about the company’s Artisan Collection and asked her opinion about the hottest colour and surface trends for 2024.

Jo predicts a continued strong demand for unique finishes in 2024 with specifiers and designers responding to customers who are looking for a more personalised interior finish. “The cut and polish Venetian plaster look will continue to make waves with design-conscious consumers,” Jo says. “I’m also keen to see more of the Scumble Wash and Artisan Collection Surface Bloom being utilised as an alternative for those looking for a softer, more subtle finish”.

Jo also pointed to textures and metallics likely to have a big year in commercial and retail spaces, with Artisan Collection Metal Trace Smooth expected to be in hot demand in 2024. “We know the lustrous shades of silver, gold and bronze will always be popular,” Jo says. “But we’ve been working on projects that have seen the Metal Trace finish used with reds and yellows providing even more possibilities for a custom metallic finish”.

As a qualified interior designer, Jo is in a unique position to understand the needs of specifiers and is proactive in finding solutions to tricky challenges. “What sets the Haymes Paint team apart is that we work closely with specifiers and architects along with our lab team to find that special finish that’s needed to make a project truly unique,” she says.

Jo is seeing a huge increase in the use of special finishes as a tool to create a bespoke effect, particularly in the residential space, but also trending through commercial and retail settings. “People are loving the idea of the softer bronzes, silvers and golds,” she says. “You can layer other things on top to create depth and subtle metallics bring a beautiful warmth to the home, making you feel almost cocooned”.

Jo says we are definitely not seeing much shine through our interiors, more layered sheen levels that bounce environmental reflections around the room and she’s excited for the possibilities this offers to subtly align the paint finish with the other materials and textures.

On the horizon, Jo says she sees a continuation of our need to be nurtured and this will drive the colour and surface choices we make in the home. “It was interesting seeing the Peach Fuzz as Pantone’s colour of the year,” she says. “This fits with the popularity we’re seeing with matte finishes bringing warmth into the walls, darker colours with more earthy undertones, textured carpets and rugs, with fewer bright whites”.

Jo believes good design takes into consideration the play of light and shade to create texture and contrast and it’s here that the walls are often an opportunity missed. She says layers of texture on a wall can be incredibly effective to introduce a more adventurous finish to an interior while still maintaining that sense of cocooning that we seek.

“We really want to have a big warm hug – our home is our sanctuary,” she says. “So, the more designers can play into that, the more opportunity we will have to introduce these new wall finishes that are so effective”.

For more information visit haymespaint.com.au/

Another strong showing at Maison&Objet with a fabulous display of interior products and innovative solutions. As seen in past years at iSalone in Milan, this year I noticed home perfumes/personalised scents and “home fragrances” taking a strong position. There were so many stands at Maison & Objet either showcasing their own scents or offering customised scents.

I see so many applications for this but particularly for any business with a showroom or physical location. A signature scent for a brand gives a business that something special with which to create an iconic and memorable experience for their customers.

In terms of innovation, this year I saw a real mix of ideas – nothing starkly new but that’s not surprising as we’re still rebuilding confidence after the pandemic. I’m seeing a distinction with brands either committing to colours or committing to neutrals – but rarely both.

Tactility is still strong across the board and throughout the sector – both visual and sensorial textures are everywhere. Particularly with neutrals, I’m seeing an injection of subtle colouring and/or a pattern to help elevate it beyond the background.

We know the majority of European brands have been focussed on reducing waste and looking at their environmental impact for many years so it’s no surprise to see that on display at Maison & Objet. Some brands are now committing to 100% recycled material product line offerings and others making beautiful objects from excess production of base materials within their industries.

The idea of handcrafting is predominant – whether the “real deal” or the aesthetic of the handcrafted. There’s more attention to detail in wooden furniture. Tapering and curves to edging or rough and rugged detailing. Yes, we’ve seen this with some high-end companies but the prevalence of this development across the fair is notable.

I discovered a couple of concept zones which were interesting as many aimed to shift mindsets and take a deeper look at some areas of the home that are traditionally more functional. I saw a lovely mix of materials, textures and colours to make these spaces more interesting and engaging, again, with the sense of smell being thoughtfully included.

As a kick-start show for 2024, I found Maison & Object to be very thought provoking and I’m keen to see what iSalone and Milan Design Week in April will contribute to our ongoing design conversation. Enjoy this slide show walk through of the show.

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For more information visit maisondlp.fr or https://www.instagram.com/maison_dlp/

As highlighted by many trend forecasters, trends for the coming year will see a focus on green interior design and flexible, multifunctional spaces, featuring a mix of sustainable, eco-friendly materials and a simple yet sophisticated style.

A mix of styles

Décor for 2024 will see a return to the natural materials and earthy shades of ethnic style. Another trend is towards a mix of materials, furnishing elements and geometric shapes and textures from different cultures and periods, shaping uniquely striking design solutions.

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Ecodesign and natural touches

Décor trends for 2024 will once again revolve around nature. Creative inspiration is set to come from natural details that bring a uniquely inviting, green identity to every room in the home. Popular for the coming year will be wood-effect tiles that team the beauty of wood planks, with their gnarls, distinctive marks and warm colours, with the impressive resistance of porcelain stoneware. This perfect combination of colour and design redefines wood surfaces, with rare, fine woods from all over the world representing all the beauty and variety of this magnificent natural material.

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Flexible, multifunctional spaces

Home décor trends for 2024 will focus on flexible, versatile open spaces that can be arranged as required. So we’ll be seeing bookcases acting as sliding walls, modular furnishing systems, wall units, accent walls, double-sided fireplaces, mezzanines and indoor-to-outdoor spaces, ready to help create multifunctional living spaces. Large porcelain stoneware wall tiles can be used to create a wallpaper effect, or the backdrop for a bookcase; they can also be used to tile wall-mounted doors.

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A carefully chosen colour scheme can be used to mark off different areas for different functions. Modern, versatile porcelain stoneware collections can be used to tile large vertical, sloping or curved surfaces; they can be used on whole walls or part of a wall, making them suitable for any home décor project.

Explore the new trends, styles and colours for 2024 home décor ceramic tiles are the perfect complement to furnishing, accessories and living.

Simple yet sophisticated

‘Less is more’ is the key to 2024 home décor, which will seek to strike a balance between simplicity and elegance, with clean lines, and neat, functional spaces. Minimalist décor favours a linear look, with bright, airy rooms. Furniture tends to be placed along the walls, while colours are light and evenly shaded, with a predominance of white, grey and beige tones.

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Made exclusively from natural raw materials, Casalgrande Padana porcelain stoneware is fully recyclable, eco-sustainable, fire-resistant, non-allergenic and antibacterial. It does not alter over time, and is easy to lay and to clean. The vast array of Casalgrande stoneware collections with concrete, wood, marble, metal or stone effects can be used in a variety of ways, both indoors and outdoors. It is suitable for both floors and walls, and can be used in a variety of combinations to meet your every interior design requirement.

For more information, visit casalgrandepadana.com

Ambiente Living shows the upcoming living, furnishing and decorating trends in the Interior Design (Hall 3.1) and Interiors & Decoration (Hall 3.0) product groups. Here, premium brands, manufacturers and design-oriented suppliers will be presenting their latest home concepts, furniture, lighting ideas, home textiles, home and design accessories, table accessories, genuine and designer jewellery and even room fragrances. Brands such as Blomus, Bloomingville, Georg Jensen, IB Laursen, Jan Kurtz, New Edition Home B.V., Present Time, PTMD Collection, Scholtissek, Stelton and – new – Lalee carpets, Madam Stoltz and Pot en Mand will be there. Two regions stand out in 2024; Scandinavian design will be presented by Broste Copenhagen, Stoff Copenhagen, Eva Solo, Muurla Design, Pappelina and Mifuko OY, among others. Japanese design will be presented e.g. by Cotodama Inc, Hachiman Kasei, SUWADA Blacksmith Works and 100percent.

The fusion of Home & Office can be experienced in Hall 3.1 in particular, together with the Office Design & Solutions offering and the Future of Work area as a centre of attraction for office planners, interior designers, architects, interior designers and major commercial customers. In the attractive interior design environment, visitors have the outstanding opportunity to discover the synergies between living and working.

University graduates, young designers and entrepreneurs benefit from special support programmes. With the Talents programme, Ambiente has been supporting young international designers for years, who bring a whole new perspective to design and product development. In a special area in Hall 3.1, outstanding international talents will show how we can make society, life and consumption simultaneously more stylish and sustainable in the future with their projects on interior design, tableware and accessories. The participants will be given free exhibition space in a specially designed area where they can exchange ideas with an international audience and make important contacts with industry and trade.

In addition, young companies (Young Innovators) with fresh ideas and unconventional products from the Interiors & Decoration (Hall 3.0) and Urban Gifts & Stationery (Hall 4.2) product areas will present themselves in the BMWK area. The area is the result of an initiative by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK – Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klima), which enables innovative companies from Germany to participate in international trade fairs in Germany.

For more information visit ambiente.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en.html

At each show, a trend presentation is made by the trend bureau bora.herke.palmisano. These style experts have identified three relevant trends for 2024/25, which will be highlighted in analyses, lectures and an inspiring Trend Area at the Design Plaza in Hall 3.1.

Light is an elementary component of the built world. It sets visual accents, ideally combines aesthetically with the architecture, and at the same time fulfils functional aspects. Innovative technology enters into an exciting combination with forward-looking design.

The trend bureau has identified three key trends for 2024/25:

Welcome Tomorrow

Welcome Tomorrow combines magical lighting effects, fascinating designs with advanced technologies. The designers and developers ingeniously explore the innovative possibilities and create visionary designs. With stunning visual and illusory effects such as reflections, movement, unreal colour glow as well as sensory lighting effects, they create a hypnotic, supernatural aesthetic. Craftsmanship and sophisticated technologies come together consistently in the trendsetting designs.

Embrace Simplicity

Embrace Simplicity looks at the ever-growing awareness of beneficial designs and quiet arrangements. New design approaches open the view for holistic considerations: sustainable, functional and emotional are the results. Pure, natural, with structural and material sincerity, the authentic luminaire designs and the sustainable material developments are always associated with a story. Here, quality craftsmanship is just as much in focus as natural materials, imaginative experiments with alternative materials, modern manufacturing technologies and an unerring sense for the useful and the emotional.

Create Uniqueness

Create Uniqueness unleashes the special, the “one of a kind”, the incomparable. Here, diverse and special designs with a distinctly unique character come together in an eclectic mix. Striking shapes, expressive surfaces, unconventional designs – the interiors look like a select, curated collection of artistic pieces. The use of very different materials, which come together in unexpected, contrasting combinations, is also eye-catching. The spatial effects are charismatic: vintage appeal combines with clean modernity, craftsmanship with a free-spirited expression. In an inspiring dialogue between industry and craftsmanship, distinctive designs and stimulating compositional ideas emerge.

The trend scouts: Trend bureau bora.herke.palmisano

Claudia Herke, Cem Bora and Annetta Palmisano analyse international trends in fashion and art, interior and lifestyle for Messe Frankfurt. With their many years of experience and great expertise in trend forecasting and materials research, they provide valuable guidance with analyses, lectures and inspiring special shows.

For more information visit light-building.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en.html

From 5th October to 6th November, the products will be featured at the Design Supermarket, chosen for their focus on materials and the environment and for their excellent eclecticism.

Experimentation, innovation, craftsmanship, sustainability and inclusion make up the common threads between these objects and furnishings, with their striking design, which simplifies and softens the forms and cuts down on material, in tune with an increasingly keen environmental awareness. Products that demonstrate the fact that young designers are not afraid to chance their hand experimenting, taking risks and promoting a greener future.

The selected objects and makers are…

AHOKPE + CHATELIN (Belgium)

KU DO AZÒ Hammock

A hanging bed designed and woven in Benin for European interiors. Conscious of their textile, craft and industrial heritage, the designer duo obtained the fabric for the hammock from unravelled yarn from the jumpers that end up on the African markets, and the shape depends on the available material.

ALEKSI REMSU (Finland)

ÉCLIPSE ATELIER Lamp Collection

A limited range of sculptural wall-lights, playing on tensile structures and simplicity. The structure is made up of three pieces and a bulb, assembled exclusively by tensioning a brass sheet. The design process for the collection was informed by experiments with techniques for folding paper onto metal sheets, which made it possible to create three-dimensional shapes that reflect the light in an interesting and evocative way. Each lamp is fashioned by hand.

ALLCA (Spain)

SUN RUG, ESPIRAL RUG, MINDSET RUG Rugs

Rugs made from recycled and recyclable polyester, woven by hand, and digitally printed. The innovative production process – rooted in sustainable ethics, awareness and creation – obviates the need to dye the yarn, and broadens the expressive potential of the objects, while customised and co-created pieces can be produced on request. The rugs contain a number of different references: the abstract, minimalist landscapes evoke feelings bound up with nature and meditation. They are both peace and recall, energy and serenity. They explore the effects of colours on our emotions, creating a sacred and introspective space.

ANDREÍNA RAVENTÓS (Spain)

INFINIGHTY COLLECTION Lamp

The Infinighty Collection represents the journey of life, with its ups and downs, its constant light showing us the way. Hand-made from natural materials, to highlight human imperfections.

DAVIDE APOLLONI (Italy)

LO-VE Table

LO-VE was born from the collaboration between a young architect and an elderly entrepreneur, one in London and the other in Verona. The shape of the table was dictated by the attempt to freeze the sinuous movements of a ballerina draped in voile. The pirouettes of the base make up

a structure that serves as both support and adornment, with its harmonious, gentle and decorative shapes. The high quality of the materials and the Italian workmanship elevate the product.

DEDÀLEO (Italy)

SNAP Armchair

This armchair is a tribute to Milan, the city in which its designer, Ntaiana Charalampous, studied and Cyprus, the island on which she was born. It comprises a steel structure, hand-sewn wool cushions and extra-fine fabrics originally destined for men’s suits (Loro Piana). The Snap armchair is an example of how design can lift a functional object into a work of art.

EGOUNDESIGN® (Italy)

SIBI Seat, small table and container

SIBI is a multifunctional indoor and outdoor modular system comprising a seat, small table and a container, the upshot of an exploration of the concepts of adaptation and interaction with design in mind. Produced by 3D printing – it is empty on the inside – it is hard-wearing and light, easy to put to use according to the desired function and is modular and stackable with other elements.

JOAQUIN IVAN SANSONE (Spain)

JUNKI + LAMP Stool and Lamp

This extremely lightweight yet robust stool, made entirely of cane, was informed by research into the material. Junki harnesses the combined force of each element and is completely devoid of industrial processes, demonstrating the resilient power of nature. Simple and expressive, this seat exudes nature and comfort, cosiness and fellowship. Lamp is an object made of high quality materials which, depending on the side from which it is observed, looks as though it is on or off, with the accent on volume or linearity, warmth or coolness.

XINSHI (China)

THE STORY OF THE LINE Chair

The concept that inspired the project was the fascinating sinuosity of curls. The chair is full of elasticity and vitality. A mixture of humour and elegance. An attempt to blur cultural boundaries to shape a new integration.

ZARA ADLER, (Denmark)

COMA + HIELO Vases

Coma is a 3D-printed translucent bowl that radiates a diffused light. The fruit bowl is soft to the touch and shaped like a halo cloud, condensing the smell of fresh fruit and vegetable inside it.

Hielo can be used as a translucent small table or vase, and reflects a soft light. The base takes the shape of a drop of water and when two shapes are merged they can form a new whole, adapting to different domestic situations. Both pieces are made with materials traditionally regarded as waste products which, through experimentation, demonstrate new potential and inform spectacular objects with the accent on colour, light and tactility.

The next edition of SaloneSatellite will be held in April 2024 as part of Salone del Mobile.Milano and you can be there in person with AIDT’s 2024 International Tour to experience the show and the best of young and emerging designers. Don’t miss out!

For more information visit salonemilano.it/en/exhibitions/salonesatellite

And, here’s a quick tip: your logo is not your brand. For some people, this may come as a surprise. When you’re launching a business you usually pay a lot of attention to your logo – and it is a significant part of your brand. But a logo can’t represent your brand on its own.

Your brand should be clearly represented in all your marketing collateral – including your social media posts. Utilising brand templates means you achieve a consistent visual aesthetic through your feed as well as making sure your customer connects with your brand on an emotional level.

If you have been posting on social media without a brand strategy, House of Social has two DIY packs that will ensure you refresh your brand in 2023 and get the year off to a great start.

Designed to be implemented by the business owner or a team member, these packs are crammed full of everything you’ll need to elevate your social media presence this year.

The packs are designed around a set of Canva templates that are created and branded specifically for your business – choose from a 10-pack or 25-pack. The templates are customisable and shared with you and your team so you can use them as an ongoing resource.

In addition, you’ll receive a Mood & Inspiration Board that’s set up and branded specifically for your business. Keep this on hand for when inspiration is low or you feel you need to refocus your efforts.

Plus, you’ll also receive:

• 50 content-ideas
• Monthly content calendar ideas
• Weekly content themes and ideas
• Hashtag strategy
• Social media asset checklist
• Social media cheat sheet
• Digital marketing – getting started

all of which are industry and business-specific.

So, if you feel your feed is a bit tired or chaotic, or you’d like to be more professional in your approach to social media, take advantage of the introductory pricing available now for a limited time. Refresh 10 is valued at $399 +gst and Refresh 25 is valued at $549 +gst.

For more information visit houseofsocial.com.au/services/2023-brand-refresh/

As business owners, it’s vital to stay up-to-date with the requirements and obligations of being an employer and, while the ACFA Workplace Advice team responds to a variety of member enquiries, it’s the area of employment contracts that often elicits the most questions.

Do you need a contract of employment?

While there is currently no requirement or obligation for employers in Australia to have employment contracts with employees, the ACFA Workplace Advice team highly recommends that you do. The advantage of an employment contract is that it ensures both the employer and employee have a clear understanding of what is expected during the period of employment and sets out the parameters of the employment agreement.

Even allowing for the applications of various awards, an employment contract is not a “one-size-fits-all” solution and each contract should be customised to suit not only the employee but the employer and the type of employment.

ACFA has produced a questionnaire that members can complete to assist in customising the employment contract to suit the circumstances and the position. The ACFA Workplace Advice team is also available to offer advice and support prior to the creation of a contract of employment. This can benefit the member by going over the range of variables, based on what has been negotiated, as well as the specifics of the employee’s position.

Not every position in your business will be covered by an award, and employment contracts can differ greatly across the various roles in your business. An employee in a senior or sales role may have additional benefits or renumeration bonuses that would not apply to a tradesperson role which would be covered by current award rates and allowances.

Contracts benefit employers when it comes to salary expectations and provide a clear outline to the employee regarding remuneration and what is (or isn’t) included. A contract should also outline the applicable award and classification, as well as any allowances or penalties that may be incorporated into an over-award rate. It should also include any other requirements of the role.

An important step is ensuring that, if absorbing allowances into over-award rates, this should be stated clearly within the contract using wording such as: “over-award rate is inclusive of leave loading, tool allowance, etc…”. Note that there is a requirement that the employee will need to be better off overall and cannot be disadvantaged under this agreement in these circumstances.

ACFA members benefit from access to workplace advice that include more than 500 resources that cover workplace policies, checklists, award information and more. All of which can be downloaded directly from the ACFA Member Portal or you can contact the Workplace Advice team directly for industry-specific knowledge and understanding.

With unlimited workplace advice, support for your business is only a phone call or email away. For more information and to find out about the current Pro-Rata Membership Offer visit https://www.acfa.net.au/

We’re super lucky to be in contact with some of the most wonderful designers in the industry. Here’s a selection of the best blogs showcasing the brilliance and passion of designers.

When working with a designer-maker is worth the extra money

Artisan David Tragen shares his views on when it’s worth the time and investment to work with a designer-maker on pieces for your home. Whether you are a multi-millionaire or somebody living on the bread line, everybody wants to feel like they are getting value for money. So when you compare the price of individually made items, usually created by an artisan, with those made in a factory, the price difference is often so significant that it doesn’t seem worth exploring further.

READ MORE >>>

Interview: Carolina Costa from Circu Magical Furniture

Today’s post comes from an interview with Carolina Costa from Circu Magical Furniture, a Portugese brand established in 2015 and part of national company Covet Group.

The brand was created by a design team eager to create a statement in the kid’s world and that not only produce luxury handmade pieces but unique, custom pieces as well.

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Interview with Paulo Figueiredo from DelightFULL

Today’s opinion piece is an interview with Paulo Figueiredo, head designer of the mid-century modern lighting brand has been living the DelightFULL’s story since the brand was created eleven years ago.

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Here are your finalists for the ACFA Industry Awards 2021

After a record number of entries to this year’s ACFA Industry Awards 2021, the judges have taken a look at each project and have announced the finalists. Don’t forget, the awards will be held in Sydney on Friday 11th February so book your tickets fast!

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That brings us to the end of our Summer Series. We hope you have enjoyed this walk through some of the best and most popular posts from 2021. We’ll be back to our usual Mon-Thurs schedule next week with our usual wrap up on Friday to your email inbox.

We’re super lucky to be sent information on the best of the best when it comes to beautiful building design. Here’s a selection of the best blogs showcasing brilliance in building and architecture.

Studio Marco Piva project in Padua, Italy

The interior design project by Studio Marco Piva for this private home, located in the heart of Padua with a panoramic view of the entire city, emphasises the existing spaces and highlights the historical character of the Art Nouveau architecture of the building.

The aim of the project was to develop a functional continuity between the architecture and the interior design, in accord with the requirements of the client, who wanted to create a refined and elegant home environment, one that is contemporary yet, at the same time, complements the monumental features of the building with the pre-existing works of art and furnishings that they wanted to retain.

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Case Study: Casa Politeia features Lapitec

Casa Politeia is based on the interaction of light with different shapes and materials to offer a unique wellbeing experience, and it features Lapitec for the kitchen island.

Designed by AK Praxis, the first level of the apartment is divided into 175 square meters with living, dining and kitchen areas, designed as a single space, open in two places on large equipped verandas. The rest of the floor includes two bedrooms with private bathroom and terrace and a master bedroom with dedicated bathroom and a large walk-in closet.

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Grey Restaurant & Bistro features Magraf

Grey Restaurant & Bistro, featuring Magraf, is located inside Ripple, a towering propylaeum with a stunning 3D appearance, is run by Hospes from the Elior Group. It is located near the Montebello (Vicenza) exit on the A4 Milan to Venice motorway.

Architect Massimiliano Corsi of Artè Soluzioni d’Arredo was behind the interior design scheme, which sees guests being welcomed by refined book-match style Fior di Pesco Carnico flooring. The same marble also adorns part of the bar walls, while the striking counter is made of Nero Marquinia marble. The Bistro is open all day and serves everything from breakfast to evening drinks with a special area for healthy and organic foods.

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Royal Wolf shipping containers reinvented

Showing that even the most rigid of products, such as 20 and 40 foot containers that prefer a muddy-red colour, can be re-imagined when a company needs to adapt to the market and when a society comes calling for solutions. Royal Wolf’s containers have been deployed for use as university student accommodation, a food market village and most recently, as crisis accommodation for the homeless in Tasmania.

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LIVING IN. Modern Masterpieces of Residential Architecture

Take a rare look inside of some of the world’s most extraordinary homes with LIVING IN. Modern Masterpieces of Residential Architecture, curated by leading design magazine Openhouse.

READ MORE >>>

Stay tuned for more TKBB Summer Series posts this week!

We’re super lucky to be sent information on the best of the best when it comes to the lighting for the home. Here’s a selection of the best blogs showcasing lighting.

Serena Confalonieri Magnolia Mirror for The Circles

In her first collaboration with The Circles, Milan-based designer and art director Serena Confalonieri presents the Magnolia mirror collection. Inspired by the design of plastic objects of the 60-70s, a period in which this material was perceived as highly innovative, and shown off in homes and offices, the Magnolia mirror is a unique addition to any interior environment. The designer’s approach came from the desire to compare different eras and values ​​and to highlight a renewed production technique capable of turn plastic into a sustainable and regenerable material.

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Gritti by Marc Sadler for Sylcom

Introducing Gritti by Marc Sadler for Venetian company Sylcom which celebrates the wonder of nature with expressions of light in glass.

These eight lighting fixtures are rich in references to the plant, mineral, and animal world, and are described by the company as a “re-reading of a noble and ancient material through the lens of design and an experimentation of innovative solutions, often borrowed from other industries, in which high-tech embraces the beauty of glass”.

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Foris presents the new Stile Collection at Milan Design Week 2021

Foris – design illumination brand born of the meeting of the solid experience of its founders in the lighting concept sector and their passion for art and architecture – took part in Milan Design Week 2021, unveiling its new objects of light within the Design Variations 2021 event at Palazzo Litta. Designed by Formidable Studio for Foris, the Stile collection arises from reflection on antique Venetian architectural tradition, extracting the windows from the building façades through an abstraction process that morphs the stone border into metal and captures the light of LED by reabsorbing it within.

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Alicanto by FontanaArte

Alicanto by FontanaArte is a contemporary lamp, solid and light, with an innovative design that is capable of adapting to cutting edge furnishings without departing from the FontanaArte philosophy, in balance between art and industry, suspended between clarity and durability. It takes its name from Chilean mythology; Alicanto is a nocturnal bird that is said to live in the Atacama Desert and has the peculiarity of feeding exclusively on gold and silver.

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Original BTC Drop collection

The Drop Three is the final instalment in Original BTC’s Drop collection. Following the journey of a droplet of water as it falls through the air, the new bone china pendant reflects the final stage as the droplet flattens then splashes up as it hits the ground.

Designed in 2001, a year before Original BTC’s acquisition of its bone china factory, the Drop Three was so technically challenging to manufacture, it was pulled from the collection. Today, thanks to nearly two decades of investment in the Stoke-on-Trent factory’s team and capabilities, the Drop Three has finally landed.

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Tom Raffield Verso Lighting Collection

Introducing the Tom Raffield Verso Lighting Collection, a stunning new range of asymmetrical, sculptural lights made using the company’s famous, ecological, steam bending technique. Available from 20th August 2021 and guaranteed to add the wow factor to any home! Masters at crafting sustainable, artisan homeware, Tom Raffield has launched an extraordinary asymmetrical lighting collection from its workshop in Falmouth, Cornwall. The Verso Lighting Collection offers six brand new sculptural designs, showcasing the beauty found in nature’s unique, organic forms.

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Less is more with FLEXYLED SE H4 from Domus Line

“Less is more” is Domus Line’s motto, and Ludwig Mies van der Roher is its mentor. Reducing a luminaire to its essential elements is a challenge for the Italian company specialising in lighting furniture that focuses on light engineering performance, easy installation and full integration with the furnishings.

For Domus Line, minimalism is firstly a concept and then a style.

READ MORE >>>

Watch out for more TKBB Summer Series posts this week!

We’re super lucky to be sent information on the best of the best when it comes to the rangehoods and ventilation for your home. Here’s a selection of the best blogs showcasing the high tech incredibly quiet options now available.

Every home deserves Schweigen SteelFlex™

Revolutionary high-performance safety ducting now comes standard with all Schweigen Silent Rangehoods for unbeatable value, safety and performance.

Schweigen SteelFlex™ is an ultra-strong and flexible high-performance safety ducting made of Shirikon Firemesh® – a tri-layer tear-resistant UV-treated sleeve. Both are developed by Schweigen – the Silent Rangehood specialists, for quiet and efficient high-volume transfers of temperature-sensitive air.

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Importance of Silent Exhaust Fans for the home

The importance of silent exhaust fans for the home is quickly realised in the bathroom, typically the wettest room in the house, with the steam from the bath or shower leaving a layer of moisture all over the interior walls and surfaces.

By extracting this damp air out into the atmosphere, exhaust fans help keep mould and mildew under control, improve air quality, all whilst extending the life of home fixtures.

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Gaggenau Table Ventilation 200 Series

Gaggenau introduces the new Table Ventilation 200 Series – exceptional ventilation that performs with the utmost discretion.

With so much activity happening around today’s kitchens it stands to reason that many people prefer not to close off this communal space but to keep it open and integrated with the rest of their living zones. Keeping in mind the design aesthetic, an open plan setting that accommodates entertaining, family time, homework and cooking, requires exceptional ventilation to prevent steam, heat and vapour permeating the area.

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Look out for more TKBB Summer Series blogs coming your way soon!

We’re super lucky to be sent information on the best of the best when it comes to smart bathrooms. Here’s a selection of the smartest bathroom accessories of 2021.

Saturn and Moon by Antrax IT

The Saturn and Moon radiators by Antrax IT are an abstract interpretation of the famous celestial bodies of the solar system for interior design.The spherical shape of the planet and the satellite dictates the structure of the two Antrax IT radiators, designed by Peter Rankin. The radiators are built from 100% recyclable extruded aluminium with a circular base and three-dimensional profile.

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GROHE Rainshower SmartActive

GROHE has introduced a new range of Rainshower SmartActive showers that can be fully personalised, introducing a much-needed ritual of enjoyment in daily life.

Using the latest in design and technology to maximise wellness, the GROHE Rainshower SmartActive range is designed to make showers a time to relax and unwind, making the bathroom a place to retreat to for a much-needed break from the outside world. Three different spray options and temperature control make personalisation a breeze, introducing a tailored shower experience like no other.

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Waffle – Designed by Piero Lissoni for Antrax IT

Waffle is the first radiator designed by Piero Lissoni for Antrax IT and the first to feature new finishes and materials: Waffle is a unique project, combining technology, energy saving and sustainability with attentive aesthetic research. The heating body, made of a 100% recyclable cast aluminium, is available in eleven embossed powder coatings, five of which have been developed in collaboration with the designer, exclusively for this collection. Frag, Crag, Lrag, Arag and Mrag – these are the name of the finishes – are conceived to evoke, even by touch, the historical imagery of cast iron radiators, which Waffle reinterprets also in the surface manufacturing process, characterised by a three-dimensional geometric texture.

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New RS11 hand sanitiser and soap dispenser by VOLA

The VOLA RS11, launched in August 2021 and making its debut in reception spaces around the world, gives the now-normal offer of hand sanitiser on arrival at offices, retail and hospitality venues a stylish new enhancement, featuring VOLA’s distinctive aesthetic and discrete elegance. The starting point for the design was a simple but challenging question, according to architect and designer Torben Madsen, who is also the design manager at LINK Arkitecktur. “The question we asked ourselves was how do you make a hand sanitiser as invitingly delicious as, say, a bunch of delicately fragrant roses or a crisp bouquet of tulips?”

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Stay tuned for more TKBB Summer Series posts coming soon!

We’re super lucky to be sent information on the best of the best when it comes to the future of kitchen design and innovation. Here’s a selection of the best blogs showcasing innovation and caring for our future.

Furnipart releases new sustainable handles

Danish company Furnipart has released a range of new sustainable handles at London Design Festival which is taking place from 18-26 September 2021. The company has chosen not one, but two, paths towards more sustainable production methods.

Furnipart sees these developments as just the beginning, and they are continually in pursuit of sustainable products and production methods, from conception all the way to installation.

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Schweigen is now Climate Positive

As pioneers of silent rangehood innovation, Schweigen collaborates with leading partners around the world to develop premium products that represent the very best of European styling and Australian ingenuity. Schweigen is pleased to now also partner Sydney-based climate tech company trace to become and stay Climate Positive.

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SCHOCK is now carbon neutral

Calculating, avoiding, reducing, offsetting CO2: SCHOCK has achieved carbon neutrality for the company and the product, thus reaching a milestone in the SINK GREEN mission.

“This is the beginning of SINK GREEN,” promises punk legend Iggy Pop, SCHOCK brand ambassador, in a campaign video in which he describes the company’s sustainability strategy and the associated CRISTADUR® Green Line, a sink generation that is ~99% based on natural, renewable or recycled raw materials.

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Lapitec presents the new Musa collection shades

Entirely silica free, Italian company Lapitec’s new Musa collection shades further enhance the latest collection of sintered stone. Musa has experimented with new aesthetics and now offers additional expressive options in Bianco Atena, Bianco Giulia and Bianco Venere, presented as concept colours at Cersaie 2021.

The three new products complement the existing Bianco Vittoria, Bianco Elettra and Bianco Aurora shades and offer, in an ascending gradation, three vein thickness variations with a heterogeneous decoration, highlighted in contrasting shades of grey on the white base.

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Laminam certification

In a new record for the Italian multinational, Laminam is the first manufacturer of ceramic surfaces in the world to obtain “Solid Surfacing for Food Zone” certification from the NSF – American National Standard for Food Equipment.

This new milestone honours Laminam’s desire to certify, through increasingly qualified global institutions, the natural aspect and superior quality of its finishes, particularly for the purpose of kitchen countertops.

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Stay tuned for more TKBB Summer Series posts coming soon!!

We’re super lucky to be sent information on the best of the best when it comes to sensational basins. Here’s a selection of some of our favourite basins for the bathroom.

Dry by Kreoo

Dry (named after the typical glass of Martini Dry), by Kreoo and designed by Enzo Berti, is a noble and simple sink, where the pure volume of marble draws shapes and lines. Pure shapes and surfaces blend with the marble element engage the senses. The insertion of a stone ring all along the upper profile completes the functionality of the object and makes it a design object.

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Maison Valentina Vessel sinks

As a luxury and handcrafted brand that understands the application of vessel sinks to create timeless and elegant decors, Maison Valentina offers a range of vessel sinks that may differ in size, shape and material but are of a standard when it comes to high-end techniques.

Vessel sinks were traditionally made with whatever material was available at the time, often natural stone or rock, with a naturally-eroded look to create the bowl shape. Commonly placed on top of a surface, today’s manufacturing techniques allow for both above and below-counter as well as recessed choices.

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Orma by Glass Design

Orma by Glass Design is part of the Florence Glass Atelier Collection and is the new countertop washbasin fashioned from glass using a very particular artisanal process, which results in a series of irregular pentagonal engravings in low-relief.The contrast between the inner part, featuring shiny and smooth decoration and the satin and multifaceted exterior gives rise to a particularly seductive interplay of light which ensures the washbasin becomes the focal point of any bathroom.

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Evo 21 by Agape

Introducing the Evo 21 by Agape, designed by Giampaolo Benedini; an open case consisting of sides, bottom and beams. “Our goal is an architectural balance between designs and collections, all created to interact in an unforced manner as a whole that transcends the sum of its parts. That’s why in 2021 we focused in particular on a newly developed storage system, Evo 21”, says Emanuele Benedini, CEO of Agape.

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Devon&Devon Season Vanity

Devon&Devon presents Season Vanity, the first washbasin vanity unit with an integrated dressing table. The Season vanity has a highly distinctive neoclassical style which remains untouched in this unique version of the iconic vanity unit, featuring an integrated dressing table with four drawers and a pull-out velvet top.

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Stay tuned for more TKBB Summer Series posts!!

We’re super lucky to be sent information on the best of everything kitchen! Here’s a selection of the best of the best trends and themes for all things “kitchens”.

Schock new products

Schock has unveiled a new range of products centred around the kitchen sink as being an attractive lifestyle element of any kitchen. The CRISTADUR® Green Line is ~99% based on natural, renewable or recycled raw materials. Now available in a new colour – Twilight – the exceptional shade of taupe reflects the interior design trend towards nude tones and minimalism in the kitchen. The Schock Green Line is further expanded with all models in the popular Mono range (except Mono D-200) will be available in this new finish.

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The Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer™

There are revolutionary kitchen appliances that have changed the way we design and use kitchens, and the dishwasher in a drawer – pioneered by Fisher & Paykel – is undoubtedly one of them. The Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer™ Dishwasher opened up greater possibilities in kitchen design as the modular appliance can be distributed throughout a kitchen, tailored to a user’s lifestyle, preferences and needs.

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Hettich AvanTech YOU

Never before has it been easier to focus on customer preferences: AvanTech YOU, available at Hettich Australia, allows customised configuration of drawers in exactly the way your client wants it to be. Whether for use in the bathroom, living room or kitchen – every wish for a unique look is easily fulfilled with the broad diversity of this product range and the many different ways of creating furniture that speaks with individuality.

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Vitrum Mimesis Collection by Valcucine

In the Vitrum Mimesis Collection by Valcucine, presented at Milano Design Week 2021, natural stone aesthetic meets glass potential. Vitrum Mimesis expands the expressive possibilities of glass with a solution designed for those who love the timeless aesthetics of natural stone without sacrificing the practicality of glass, thus combining elegance and strength in a single finish. In terms of environmental impact, it represents a more sustainable alternative to stone, whose natural reserves are in some cases at risk of being exhausted.

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Z316_SH by Zazzeri

Z316_SH by Zazzeri is the new version of the single lever mixer tap where the lever is the distinguishing feature. This lever characterises the whole Z316 series adding charm and new features of design. The Z316 collection, the first one by Zazzeri fully made of stainless steel AISI 316/L,  has now evolved, and is showed to the public in a new and appealing stylist variant.

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The sophisticated beauty of black kitchen appliances 

Black kitchen appliances have become the hero of kitchen design in recent years, being a sophisticated choice to complement a diverse array of material palettes and interior styles. Fisher & Paykel is renowned for its black appliances.

With minimalist and contemporary design, the appliances are sleek and elegant, being meticulously designed to complement and elevate different aesthetics and work with a range of colours, materials, and interior styles.

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Stay tuned for more TKBB Summer Series posts coming soon!

We’re super lucky to be sent information on the best of the best when it comes to bathroom designs. Here’s a selection of the best bathroom ideas of 2021.

Scavolini Formalia Bathroom Collection

Designed by Vittore Niolu, the stunning Formalia bathroom collection has exceptional aesthetic and ambience and a functional, contemporary design. This sophisticated collection enhances the value of the bathroom and, as with the kitchen and living room solutions bearing the same name, the distinguishing feature of the collection is the shaped door with its metal handle that creates the streamlined silhouette.

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Twill by TapLab Wall Covering

Bringing the WOW factor into the bathroom – the new Twill collection by TapLab Wall Covering is a collaboration with Dainelli Studio, inspired by the traditional twill fabric with its recognisable visual structure. Twill, also called sargia in Italian (from the French sergé), is the only fabric with a frame of diagonal lines of 45-degree slope due to a particular weaving of weft and warp threads.

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antoniolupi presents Sled and Fluido

For Cersaie 2021, antoniolupi presented two new projects born from the collaboration with Carlo Colombo: Sled and Fluido: A freestanding bathtub that seems to have been carved out of the wall and an encased sink in the wall. Designed by Carlo Colombo, both the Sled bathtub and the Fluido sink can be customised in the finishes and colours, adapting them to any context for an increasingly tailor-made bathroom environment.

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Villeroy & Boch new ColourChoice Collection Vita Range

European powerhouse Villeroy & Boch bring organic forms to the bathroom with its new ColourChoice Collection Vita Range. Drawing inspiration from flowing forms, the Vita Range uses cylindrical design and organic precision to achieve elegance and style.  The refined range was created to engage with its surrounding architecture, complementing each element of design. With gentle curves and a delicate pin lever, the relevance of the tapware is ensured for years to come.

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Stay tuned for more TKBB Summer Series posts!

Subway tiles have made their place in the world of design as a classic feature element that has been reinvented many times through the years to include an endless range of colours, patterns, materials and even varied shapes for a unique and authentic touch. These timeless tiles can be used in many exciting ways in the home as either a wall or floor finish that can be customised to suit your pretences in terms of style and pattern to create a unique finishing touch in your next interior design project.

What are Subway Tiles?

The term ‘subway tile’ refers to a specific style of tile design that is traditionally in a small, rectangular shape or format. These tiles were first introduced as a hygienic solution for New York subway stations where a sleek and simple to clean wall finish was required to maintain the cleanliness of these underground spaces, giving these classic tiles their name. These first subway tiles were often a crisp white with a simple, sharp edge, a format that continues to be a popular choice in the world of interior design today. Since then however, subway tile collections have evolved to include a range of different options, colours and even variations of the traditional rectangle shape.

Modern subway tile collections include options in a variety of marble stones, terracotta, terrazzo and even mirror finish selections for a glamorous touch in your design scheme. The simple rectangular shape has also been updated with options now including luxurious bevelled edges, sharp, pointed ends (in a similar shape as that of a traditional picket fence) and even parallelogram options that can be interlocked together with the next tile to create the popular chevron tile pattern.

Floor & Wall Tiles in the Home

The simple subway tile has long been a favourite design selection for the home, making for an excellent floor or wall tile solution in all areas from the kitchen to the bathroom. Thanks to the wide range of materials and colours available in contemporary subway tile collections, there is bound to be a perfect fit for your next home renovation or new build project, with different options being most suitable as a flooring solution as well as options that are best suited as a wall tile. Subway wall tiles are especially popular in the home’s bathroom, kitchen or laundry spaces where a hygienic and easy to clean finish is desired. Kitchen splashback tiles for example are often selected for their ability to withstand heat, staining or scratching, all of which are benefits that traditional subway tiles can provide in the home.

Subway tiles for floor use are most often made of porcelain, terracotta or natural stone for a durable and hard wearing surface finish that can withstand foot traffic. Unlike wall tiles, floor tiles are often thicker, creating a strong and sturdy finish. These tiles can be laid in a large variety of patterns and layouts to create a stylish design element in the home for that perfect finishing touch.

Creating Patterns with Subway Tiles

As a result of their simple rectangle shape, subway tiles can be used to create a variety of different patterns in the home, from the classic brick bond layout where each individual tile is staggered in length to those laid above and below it to the more contemporary stacked styles where each tile sits in perfect alignment to the next. Subway tiles can also be used to create the popular chevron or herringbone tile patterns, with parallelogram subway tiles used for the traditional chevron pattern and simple rectangles used to create the classic herringbone style.

Creating Visual Tricks with Subway Tiles

Another exciting way to use subway wall tiles in the home is to experiment with laying them vertically or horizontally in the space as a means of creating visual tricks in the home. Elongating the width of a room is simple when using the tile’s rectangular shape lengthwise across the room, whether they are used as a floor or wall finish. This technique is also effective where you want to direct the user through a floor plan, with the direction of the tiles themselves acting as a visual cue for the flow or direction of the space.

If instead you are looking to create a sense of height in a room with a shorter ceiling, running your subway tiles vertically up the wall will carry the eye upwards, creating the illusion of a taller ceiling. Creating a sense of space or direction in a design scheme becomes simple with the right layout and tile shape.

Subway tiles have many uses throughout the home making for an excellent kitchen splashback tile choice, laundry tile, bathroom feature wall option and even as a luxurious flooring solution. Depending on the materials, textures or finishes selected, these incredibly versatile tiles can be used in a large variety of ways throughout your interiors for an elegant and timeless touch.

For information visit perini.com.au/

Augmented Reality is the new way to shop online. With a renovation boom and so many of us going into lockdown and online shopping, augmented reality has never been a more important part of our online offer benefiting both the business and consumer.

Shopping for bathroom products online is not a traditional retail sector, so it is not always an easy task for consumers and can sometimes require seeing the products in person for that extra reassurance on the colour, shape, and size before spending money on an investment item or high value item. By offering Augmented Reality, we have been able to engage customers and allow them to interact directly with the products, making online shopping for products more tangible. The Blue Space has brought the experience of in store shopping to the customers home, and made the online bathroom shopping experience even better with Augmented Reality.

The Blue Space’s Augmented Reality has created an easy, simplified, and inspiring shopping experience to the customers home that they may get in a traditional bricks and mortar store. Customers can now place products directly in their home to see the true size of the product, put it where they imagine the product to go, and see whether that style is for them. This has added that reassurance a lot of customers crave when shopping for their home at home. Customers are able  to visually picture what that specific tapware colour or shape will look like in their space. On a desktop, you can simply click on the 3D model and you will be able to rotate the product in every angle to get a better idea of what the product looks like.

“Our Augmented Reality collection includes the best selling products from leading Australian brands including Caroma, Clark, Dorf, Phoenix Tapware,  Thermogroup, and Fienza. All in  top trending fixture colours loved by all Interior Designers and Builders, including matte black, brushed brass and brushed gold, brushed nickel, gunmetal, and of course the classic chrome. For customers who have never shopped for bathroom products online, our AR feature comes as a great help. The ability to upsell a customer from a classic chrome to a trendy brushed brass also comes into picture, especially those who are on the fence about switching from a safe traditional look to a more modern and statement piece.”
Josh Mammoliti, Managing Director.

Our customers have loved using this feature in their home. The Blue Space Interior Designer, Sabrina says, “Being an online business, the Augmented Reality feature has helped me show customers what a specific style or design of product can look like in their space. This feature has especially helped me as we work from home. Our customers always feel more comfortable with their decision once they see it in their space.”

The Blue Space customer, Ian, has recently undergone a bathroom renovation. At the time he was unable to show his trades where he wanted his new fixtures and fittings installed, “So using the Augmented Reality (AR) feature on the The Blue Space website I took photos and sent them to the bathroom guy! Love it!!”

The most popular products being looked at include basin taps, showers, and bathroom accessories. Customers  are loving being able to see the products in real life sizing. They are able to envision the true width, length, and height of the products because sometimes looking at it on a ruler is just not enough.

The ‘try before you buy’ mentality is often a concern for an increase in returns. With an Augmented Reality functionality, this reduces returns entirely as customers feel more confident in their decision. For purchases involving renovation products, ‘trying before buying’ is not always an option. With building timelines changing, trades needing things urgently, and backorders, there is an urgency for products. By incorporating an AR model onto our website, we have been able to reduce returns, minimise exchanges, and even encourage upsells.

For online businesses, creating new and exciting content is always on the forefront of marketing. With many businesses going online, the race to having the most innovative offers and enticing content is never ending. The Augmented Reality feature is an added selling point to your business. Encourage customers to interact with your website, and have fun while they shop online. Showing a tap or shower floating in your space makes that shopping experience way more fun! An experience that not even a traditional storefront can offer.

To see how The Blue Space’s Augmented Reality works on its website, watch this video here.

Whether you are a multi-millionaire or somebody living on the bread line, everybody wants to feel like they are getting value for money. So when you compare the price of individually made items, usually created by an artisan, with those made in a factory, the price difference is often so significant that it doesn’t seem worth exploring further.

Generally speaking, larger scale production runs will bring economies of scale which can then be passed onto the end consumer. So surely only larger companies can survive in a world of supply and demand? As a designer and artist myself, creating bespoke designs as well as both open and limited edition pieces, I wanted to shed some light on why it may be worth delving a little deeper before dismissing products, based on price alone.

Creativity as a driver

Larger companies will often choose designs that are relatively straightforward to produce in order to keep their costs down. For example curved surfaces are much more time consuming to produce than flat ones and very often don’t lend themselves to minimising costs. However the artisan may put creative expression very high on their priority list (I certainly do) and therefore keeping costs down by not producing curved work would feel like too big a compromise.

Customisation or bespoke designs

Whilst the business model of the artisan may not be about economies of scale, the fact that they make each piece one at a time, may allow them more flexibility to customise their work to your specifications. Customisation comes in many forms, it could be as simple as offering you an exact paint colour to match your wall tiles or creating a longer version of an existing design. The most complex form of customisation would be to create a completely new, bespoke design tailored to your exact needs. Generally speaking, the smaller the company is, the more likely they will be to entertain some degree of customisation. Whilst a cost will usually be associated with any changes, it is easier for a small boat to change direction than an oil tanker.

Exclusivity

Not all of the larger companies will choose to over simplify the end product to keep costs down. However what the micro business offers is exclusivity by the fact that they can only produce a limited number of items every year. If your uniqueness is expressed not only by your personality but also by the items you buy, then this must be worth considering.

The limitations of digital production

Digital production has made huge steps forward in the last 10 years and machines can now carve or 3D print some of the most complex forms. However there are still objects that only humans can produce. For example there are times when the thickness or profile of a piece can be too delicate for a CNC milling machine to tackle. I know that making the fine end detail on Genie (see profile picture and below) would be impossible by CNC as both the vibrations of the machinery as well as the grain direction, would cause the tip to simply shatter into smithereens.

Lost in Translation

Working with a designer-maker for example, who owns their own business, means that each client is important to them. If there is one person responsible for sales, design, making the item and shipping it, your wishes are less likely to be lost when passed from person to person. Having this direct contact with the designer and maker will give you more of a sense of connection to the final piece.

Accountability

Finding an employee who cares about the quality of production in same way as the “one man band” is like finding a needle in a haystack. Whilst any successful company will make sure that quality control is part of their process, only the person making the piece will know whether all the procedures have been followed correctly.

By way of example, a standard woodworking glue needs to be clamped within 10 minutes of being applied to a woodworking joint, otherwise the glue will not be as effective. On the surface, the joint of the chair leg may seem fine. However a few years later, when your child tries his balancing act on two legs, the joint may fail.  The designer-maker will be far more invested than an employee in a larger company in ensuring that the piece is made to last a lifetime.

Pride and job satisfaction

If accountability is the proverbial “stick” to ensure that standards are kept high, then pride and job satisfaction are the “carrot”. Having direct contact with the end consumer and knowing that they are pleased with my work, really motivates me. People sometimes ask me if it difficult to say goodbye to one of my creations, especially if it has taken many days if not weeks to make.  The positive feedback I get from clients makes all the hard work worth it and knowing that it brings pleasure to a wider audience is a fantastic feeling.  Some of the work will inevitably go unnoticed: when gluing boards of wood together, side by side, I will mock up various permutations and to see which the best match in terms of grain figuring and wood tone. The client will only see the end results and will be unaware of the thought that has gone into it but knowing that I have done the best job I can provides me with job satisfaction.

The story provides meaning

By working with one person, you not only know that your wishes won’t be lost in translation and that they are accountable for their work but it doesn’t just end there. By understanding more about the journey of the artist in not only their development but also the creation of each product, it brings more meaning to what you are buying. Perhaps their back story is particularly inspiring and helps you to feel more connected to them as a person and this will bring extra value to your purchase. Social media has become an increasingly popular way for businesses to communicate with the public and show some of the behind the scenes information which will help to give you a fuller picture.

Visit davidtragen.co.uk for more information.

All marketing needs to address and engage with customers at all stages of the sales process and your messaging needs to consider whether you are talking to a cold, warm or hot audience. We often hear the complaint that social media hasn’t generated enough leads or enough of the right type of leads. So, it’s important to think about how lead generation works specifically in the renovation sector.

In the renovation market, social media will rarely guarantee you a sale. If you were selling a toothbrush or some other low-cost, low-risk item then, sure, you could make sales through Facebook. But a renovation is a huge undertaking, particularly for homeowners with little or no experience with renovating. So, that education process is an integral part of not only selling your services but in making sure that the customer understands if your business is the right fit for them.

No matter which conversion process you favour, at some stage every customer needs to be taken from a cold contact, through a warming up stage, and through to a hot prospect which is where they will make the decision to purchase from you. There are a variety of tactics and implementations that can help such as funnels and automations but the bottom line is every customer needs to be walked down this path.

In traditional media, your cold audience would see an advertisement. This may have been in a local paper or a magazine, or possibly a ratio or television ad, or a billboard. You might have dropped a brochure in their letter box or attended a Home Show or similar. It’s this engagement at the cold stage that leads the customer to decide what they want to do next – and traditionally your cold advertising will include a call to action to let the customer know what the next step should be.

In today’s digital world, social media operates in the same way as your traditional print advertising. It’s often a first-contact arena where your potential customer is introduced to your business and can learn more about your brand, your brand promise, your services and products, and your business. Where social media is most effective is in encouraging your cold customer to take the next step – whether that be contacting you, visiting your website or making a showroom appointment. From this step, they are then slide into your off-site conversion process.

So, it’s important to look at your social media message in terms of how you can connect with a cold audience. While some of your warm and hot customers will still follow you on social media and engage with you on these platforms, mostly they’ve already taken the next steps and are engaging with you in other ways to walk down that conversion path.

Where social media is incredibly effective – particularly in the design and renovation market – is that is provides a conduit for education and information. Consumers new to the renovation sector, who are looking for expertise, advice and assistance, will often turn to social media to become informed and ask for referrals. This is why the “hard sell” message simply won’t work on social media (for the renovations industry). Your customers are still way too cold to be making a purchase decision.

Social media can be used to start that warming up process and provide enough reassurance, genuine commentary or advice, and expert opinion to encourage potential customers to take the next step in your process.

When planning your social media content, think about where your customer is in their journey with you and what sorts of information they need to receive from you in order to progress down your conversion path. In this way, you’ll maximise the effectiveness of your messaging and make sure you’re attracting the right type of customer for your business.

So, here are our top 6 tips on how to maximise your brand equity.

1: Your Story

Storytelling is an integral part of our societal structure. We use stories to educate, inform, engage, makes sense of the world and connect with others. Your brand story is a huge part of your marketing strategy as it’s often the first thing a customer will learn about your business. So, make it a good one!

2: Stand for Something

Your brand needs to have a meaning and, in order to connect with your customer, it needs to stand for something. This can be ethical, moral, emotional or inspirational but your customer needs to know all about what you stand for and “who” you are in business.

3: Experience

Particularly in the renovation industry, the experience your customer has with you plays a huge role in whether they become a brand ambassador for your business. So invest wisely in making sure that experience is an amazing one – make a brand promise and always seek to over-deliver.

4: Transparency & Trust

Customers in the renovation sector often bring a huge level of fear to a transaction so building trust is going to be one of your first hurdles. You can do this by communicating clearly, managing expectations, being transparent and honest, and doing this as a proactive part of your daily business.

5: You need a content strategy

In order to communicate all of the above clearly and concisely, you need a strong content strategy. Ensure every piece of communication your business puts out is on-message and in keeping with your brand promise. Look at how you can maximise every channel of communication to sell the same message – whether it’s your social media, website, brochures, or any other marketing collateral.

6: Who is a part of your community?

Your business is so much more than just the owners – anyone connected with your business is an integral part of your community and can become highly effective brand ambassadors. There’s a saying that “happy staff create happy customers” but I think this can go much further and encompass suppliers, vendors, contractors and anyone else your business comes into contact with.

In order to build your brand you need to focus on key messages and keep them simple. Don’t try to be all things to all people or you will end up with marketing that looks like a hot mess. Work out who your target market is and hone all your messaging to speak directly to them, connect with them, allay their fears, and spruik your products and services. Walk a mile in their shoes to show them you really understand their world, their wants and their needs. By detailing these important touch points, you’re able to differentiate yourself from your competitors and engender an immediate feeling of trust.

The brand was created by a design team eager to create a statement in the kid’s world and that not only produce luxury handmade pieces but unique, custom pieces as well.

Tell us about the inspiration behind the creation of such a unique brand

“Circu is more than the design of pieces. It’s almost like a sensorial and emotional experience that is focused in the kids market and it aims to boost kids imagination as well as develop their creativity. We are unique because we don’t just produce pieces of furniture. We create exclusive handmade pieces that can be customised, in the hands of the incredible craftsman with special attention to detail. We work for a market and a range of clients who are looking for an exclusive design that was made just for them”.

How does the process of creation work?

“We are a passionate and hard-working team. That’s the first and probably the most relevant aspect when it comes to creating our pieces. There’s a very knowledgeable team that, with the resource of traditional techniques, creates a brainstorming that ends up with one-of-a-kind pieces. The whole creation process is a true adventure. Everything is magical from the very first sketch to the feeling of the child when they look at the piece for the very first time. The design of all of Circu’s pieces is made in-house and the production is located in Porto, Portugal which is the headquarters of Covet Group”.

Tell us about the process of creating such unique pieces

“Our masters of craftsmanship work tirelessly on every piece that can take up to twelve weeks to be complete. Besides the exclusive design, the choice of the right material is also a very important step in the whole process. They have in every piece a carefully chosen material and techniques that add the details and extra touch of luxury. Besides, they use real elements and new technologies that allow the brand to make the pieces looking even more real. Circu makes the personalisation and creation of a real-life fantasy world possible that surpasses the imagination of kids”.

How has the brand coped during COVID?

“This was by far one of the most challenging years since the creation of the brand. We had to adapt our daily work and coordinate a big team from home. It has not easy at first and I think it was an adjusting period for all of us. Besides managing a whole team through numerous Zoom calls a day, the international design fair Salone del Mobile Milano (a big investment for the group) was also cancelled. We were very excited for the fair to showcase the new collection, to meet with our clients and to show the pieces live because sometimes the photos don’t do them justice”.

What can we expect of Circu in 2021 and beyond?

“Virtual tours, new projects, new collections, new partnerships, and an exclusive and personalised ID Service and some of the novelties the brand has set for 2021 and which we are very excited for. Each person has an important role and their job and effort is key to making these goals possible to achieve. As the brand says, ‘The sky is the limit’ and Circu is ready to add another chapter to its story”.

For more information visit circu.net/

What inspired you to pursue design as your professional path?

I come from a musician’s family, strongly related to the artistic and creative world, and since I was a young boy I remember that I always found fascinating the unlimited world of creativity and loved to draw, however it was in my high school years that I found my passion for design.

I’m strongly connected to the music world, that is why the DelightFULL world was the perfect place to start my career as product designer.

How do you see the world of design?

I see design as a multidisciplinary world, where there is no right or wrong because every person has a different opinion and that brings a lot of opportunities to explore the undiscovered. The person who wants to pursue this industry as their professional path, whether it is more focused on product or interiors, must have different skills and an open mind to new ideas and continuous learning.

And about the biggest challenges?

 Well, I usually say that being a product or interior design is not just a career, it is a way of living, a lifestyle that keeps you busy almost 24/7. When you’re passionate about what you do and you are successful, you can take the risk of dealing with a lot of projects at the same time (especially when it comes to interior design), so your time and task management skills must be one of your strong skills as a professional. But it is a positive challenge, I think.

Since you have been a part of DelightFULL’s history, can you tell us in a few words what the brand means to you.

DelightFULL is a big part of my life and says a lot to me, because it not only reinterprets a part of history and a style that I love (which is the art, cinema and lifestyle culture of the mid-century era), but also because over the past few years I had the opportunity to grow as a professional at the same time as the brand was growing and achieving multiple records. When I entered the brand, Boca do Lobo already existed and had a great impact in the luxury market, so it was a challenge. I was invited to create a new concept and a new collection in the lighting segment that would remain associated with the music world through the product’s names, giving me the opportunity to combine two of my biggest passions.

Where do you find your inspiration to create a new product?

I can’t define a specific source because I’m inspired with everything that surrounds me, from a simple walk on the street or experiencing new cultures and countries or even visiting different design offices from studios. We always take some details from one place or another and that is how inspiration comes to me. One thing that I always try to do is to come out of my comfort zone, and explore different visions without being afraid of taking risks. For me, Philip Starck is one the best reference when it comes to product design, because I share one of his main philosophies that is when you enter a space, whether it’s a kitchen, office or living room, you want to find something that surprises you and that has some emotional impact.

What is your favourite lighting piece in DelightFULL’s collection? Tell us a little bit more about it.

I would say without any doubt that the piece that marked me as a designer, and still remains very special to me, is the Clark Suspension from our Heritage Collection. It is a lighting fixture that was created about nine years ago and was my attempt to bring some freshness into the brand’s collection, that at that time had a specific record of pieces. Currently we can say that DelightFULL features a lot of statement pieces that shows different visions and inspirations, but when I created Clark as a more sculptured piece than the rest of the lighting pieces in the collection, and it was my way to add a different artistic concept into the brand’s already well-established mid-century culture. It was the piece that challenged me technically and production-wise, so it was the piece that I loved developing.

Do you think that the current pandemic situation has changed your relationship with your clients and your vision as an interior designer?

 Definitely. These times have led us to new realities both in terms of the relationship with customers and in the way we design a space, which is then reflected in the act of purchase. Today we think of our home as a safe haven and that is why people want more comfort, giving more value to each space and detail. It is up to us professionals to give the best answer.

We want to know what the future holds for DelightFULL and what are the brands biggest goals that you are yet to achieve. So, as head designer, how do you see the brand in 10 years?

I would love to see the brand keeping its iconic mid-century path, but with bigger impact in the interior design world. Participating in great projects created by the best interior designers in the world as a premier choice for lighting options. We already have a great impact in the industry but I think that there is always room to grow even more, no matter the influence you already have in the market.

And you? What are the goals that you are yet to achieve?

This is ongoing work, and so I believe there is no limit, no finish line when it comes to product development and inspiration. What I look for, more than an objective, is that each product or projected space fully satisfies the desires of each consumer. As long as it is an object of desire, I know that I’m accomplishing my mission as a design lover who wants to reach the unknown and bring some new ideas to the luxury design market. I want to keep creating and be inspired by the small details that look insignificant to the naked eye.

If you could send a message to young designers, what would it be?

Know your customers very well; their desires, their tastes, their way of life. Finally, I would say to continue studying as a professional, especially in a constantly changing world. I consider myself lucky for having the opportunity of combining the best of both worlds and truly create products that makes a difference in the mid-century world.

For more information visit delightfull.eu/uk

After the trials of 2020, our homes are set to become a refuge from modern day stresses and nowhere is this more important than the bathroom. This year, these spaces will go from rooms to in-house resorts that connect us to nature and the way it makes us feel, through colours, materials and experiences of water.

Bathrooms are private spaces for relaxing showers or rejuvenating baths, so it makes sense that our interior design ideas shift from décor to destination. The mindset needs to move to how a room feels, as well as its looks.

Biophilia

Sheltering inside for much of the last year has left homeowners with a desire to connect with nature. Plants are a go-to here, with those that tolerate high humidity being best suited to bathrooms including peace lilies and ferns for rich green foliage, or orchids that have bright vibrant flowers.

Treated timbers and tiles that have the appearance of stone or are glazed in natural tones will ground the space in nature. Introducing metallic elements through taps, shower systems, hand rails and cabinetry hardware will add to this effect, while matte blacks can further embody deep rock hues. Methven’s range of taps and shower systems have been designed to mimic the New Zealand landscape, drawing inspiration from the white sand beaches of Maitai Bay in the North, to the powerful Clutha river which carves through the South Island from the Alps.

Light vs Dark

There are many ways to embrace nature, from light, bright coastal looks resplendent with jutes and soft sandy tones, through to cocooning forests in deep greens and browns that allow flickering candles to set the mood.

In lighter bathroom aesthetics, matte black finishes on taps, shower systems and fittings can add a dramatic contrast, without being garish or unnatural. Alternatively, chromes will blend more seamlessly while adding subtle interest. In darker designs, metallics will reflect task lighting, which can be used to create the illusion of added space in layouts where the shower or taps are across the room from the entrance as they will draw the eye across the room. Meanwhile dark, matte finished will blend into the background.

Experience of water

The bathroom is the space where engaging the senses has the biggest impact, from relaxing music to heady scents and most importantly the experience of water. Even the most beautiful bathroom will lose any sense of relaxation if the shower drips or its jets are too strong.

Thankfully shower technology has progressed to provide a range of water experiences. Methven’s Aio Aurajet has a halo shaped head that utilises hidden nozzles to create precisely angled jets of water that collide to create stunning softly swathing fans of water.

Alternatively, for those that want to change up their shower experience, the Satinjet uses twin jets to create over 300,000 droplets per second of the optimal size and pressure, with settings ranging from gentle and enveloping, through to powerful and invigorating.

Whatever your personal aesthetic, creating a bathroom with a focus on nature and how it feels will create a sanctuary for invigoration when you wake and relaxation at the end of the day.

Methven products are available through Bunnings Warehouse, Reece, and plumbing stores and showrooms nationwide. For more information, please visit methven.com

The number one goal should be your customer’s experience – from beginning to end. So, the way you utilise your digital communication should always be focussed on how it can enhance your relationship with the customer and provide them with a high-quality experience at every stage of their relationship with you.

The challenge for small business owners is to ensure they are understanding the message sent out across a variety of digital platforms and checking in to make sure all digital strategies are as effective as possible. Businesses that are able to communicate in a compelling way and deliver an amazing customer experience are the ones who will stand out in an overcrowded digital landscape.

So, what actions can you take to set your business apart?

Humanise your communications

At the end of the day your customers are human so don’t lose sight of that when mapping out your customer journey. Although we use a lot of technology to communicate, don’t forget that ultimately you are still speaking to people, not computers.

It’s important to understand and address your customers on an individual level that takes into account where they are in their journey with you. The technology exists for us to be able to personalise messaging so we should be taking every opportunity to create a message that speaks to the things that are important to our customer.

Use automation as a tool

Many business owners feel uncomfortable using automations because they fear a loss of control. But remember that sequences and automations don’t exist unless they are set up. So, think of your automation strategies as tools for communication – rather than a replacement for your time and energy. You still need to define what the communication will look and feel like – the technology will just handle the execution of the strategy.

Automations can be really effective at managing communications that engage with your customer and help them progress through your funnel without needing you to be across each and every conversation.

Know and understand your audience

We always circle back to this critical element but you simply cannot craft a message that speaks to your audience if you don’t understand who they are. A huge part of this is understanding and acknowledging their level of expertise and understanding. In a B2B environment, you don’t want to be talking about DIY hacks – for example. Or, in a B2C environment, there is no point launching into a conversation with your customer about a highly-technical aspect of joinery manufacturing.

If you have a clear picture of your target audience, and a good understanding of their pain points, you will be able to craft a message that is engaging, compelling and persuasive.

What – exactly – are you selling?

Drop the marketing jargon and flip the message so it’s squarely focussed on your customer and their needs. The truth is you’re not really selling kitchens or bathrooms – you’re selling solutions to problems. Customers generally don’t connect with your product. They connect with you and the problem you are going to solve for them. Your communications will be far more effective if you sell the solution, rather than the product. Focus the message on how the customer’s pain points will be remedied with your solutions, rather than on factual information about the product or service.

Get straight to the point

Everyone is busy and no one likes having their time wasted. Particularly in the digital space, time (and attention) is limited so if your message doesn’t grab your customer’s attention straight away, you’ll lose them. And the best way to engage with the customer is to focus on them and the problem they need solved. Here’s where consistency of messaging is also important, so your customer isn’t receiving mixed messages or unclear signals about the next step in their journey. High-quality copywriting will help all your digital communications stay “on message” and will clearly and concisely communicate your passion and enthusiasm.

The bathroom is becoming Green, Smart and Multifunctional.

Mr. Wischmann, how do you view the current economic situation in the sanitary industry?

Jens J. Wischmann: For self-evident reasons, the home is now the focal point of our lives. Even if living and where we live formed a major topic before the pandemic, now it has gained in importance again: people are investing in their homes, renovating them, working at do-it-yourself, creating a fine living space. The popularity of the subject means that the bathroom is becoming an increasing object of attraction. More and more, it is seen as a fully recreational room with all associated expectations by way of aesthetic design and convenient fittings and furnishings. The major importance of the living environment for quality of life in the private sphere is certainly a driving force. The bathroom is becoming a pleasant retreat within one’s own four walls and is enjoying an enormous upgrade through higher-quality furnishings.

On the other hand, the industry still needs to counterbalance restrictions, too. is that not the case?

Jens J. Wischmann: Given the excellent conditions in the market, the challenges faced by the trade come principally from the thin nature of the workforce, with hardly any reserves, not least because for years we have had a problem when it comes to recruiting new entrants to the industry. Of course those of our member businesses which are strongly export-focused have also been hit quite directly by the global consequences of the pandemic for the economy so far, however, with a manageable fall in sales. So, as a leading trade fair, ISH would have been just right in its timing and would have provided new incentives in this stage of the pandemic. But I firmly expect to see these incentives to come equally from the purely digital ISH digital 2021, even if certainly not to the same extent.

You use Pop up my Bathroom at ISH to pick on the relevant bathroom trends. So has a lot happened over the last two years? 

Jens J. Wischmann: Of course we want to reflect current trends in style and to promote new developments, but our priority aim has always been to identify and spotlight longer-term developments early on. And yes, a lot has happened over the last two years. These are exciting times and sanitary businesses need to respond to social changes and general conditions, for instance in the form of new products and concepts. Through Pop up my Bathroom we are attempting to launch incentives and to shift the focus onto major developments in the bathroom. In this process a number of trends are intertwined. One result of this, for instance, is the private spa a major trend, which we analysed, designated and communicated twelve years ago at ISH 2009.

In Pop up my Bathroom how do you estimate current trends, and what messages do you have for the industry and for the general public? 

Jens J. Wischmann: At the moment we are seeing three dominant bathroom trends and two trend drivers. Green Bathroom, Smart Bathroom and Living Bathroom describe the developments determining the design and equipment of the bathroom of the future, because in the first place consumers want to invest in an environmentally-aware and value-oriented way, secondly smart technology is setting new standards in hygiene, convenience and the nature of the bathroom experience, and thirdly people have higher quality expectations which a bathroom must fulfil as a place to spend time in and higher expectations of its potential uses, as a relaxing private spa and healthcare zone. While the trend towards the Living Bathroom is becoming more important again through the general experience of the pandemic and the increasing regard paid to house and home which has resulted, I would point to two drivers the growing awareness of hygiene and the backlog of renovation needed by private bathrooms and (semi-public) sanitary facilities which are industry-specific and are likely to impact on market shares to the benefit of the respective product segments. Loads of old bathrooms are waiting to be given a new life. And of course the pandemic is also closely involved in the subject of bathrooms and is making people more aware of questions of hygiene.

At the last ISH the trend forum Pop up my Bathroom attempted to win the industry over to the rising topic of a more daring coloration and was very successful in doing so. What motto have you taken as your prime statement this year?

Jens J. Wischmann: We are taking up a development which is attractive both to the trade and to consumers especially to clients who want renovation. Actually this development is not new, but rather in the last few years it has been working unobtrusively in the background and is now having a major impact on the layout of bathrooms and on product design: Increasingly, “front of wall” products are undergoing a symbiosis with “rear of wall” products we call it “inside | outside.” Using this motto we shall also be showcasing the three bathroom trends at ISH digital 2021. For this subject is not only becoming more and more important for the development of the industry, but it also shows how closely design and trade businesses, lifestyle and technology go hand in hand.   

Renovation seems to be a major topic in the German-speaking countries – you have even spoken of a surge in renovation. 

Jens J. Wischmann: Over the next few years the real-estate market will be seeing a prolonged surge in renovations. In Germany renovation of bathrooms comes at the very top of these planned renovation works. Our survey has shown that 16.7 million Germans intend to invest in their bathrooms before long. 6.2 million Germans are even planning a general overhaul. Moreover the pandemic is operating as a catalyst. The home is becoming ever more important. I think we shall also see a number of new developments which will contribute to simplifying bathroom renovation.

What motivation do apartment or house owners have in renovating their bathrooms? 

Jens J. Wischmann: Builders’ clients who for nearly 20 years have scarcely invested any capital in their own bathrooms are benefiting now from the enormous technological development in sanitary products which has taken place over the last few years. In such a renovation process these properties will therefore not only come to participate in the modern standard of a lifestyle-based bathroom architecture; they will also be able to enjoy innovative bathroom products such as shower WCs, or a spacious, floor-level shower. The concrete added value which this work brings can certainly contribute to an increase in the property’s value.

What is your assessment of the coming ISH digital 2021?

Jens J. Wischmann: Digital formats cannot replace physical experience in the long run. After a year or more, with no actual exhibitor presence at trade fairs, we can see that already. I think it is important, despite the pandemic, to stick to this year’s fair date – after all, ISH is not only a national event; it is a leading international trade fair. Here, for more than 60 years, a whole industry meets to do business, to provide mutual inspiration, to fix benchmarks, and to supply further training. A trade fair’s digital platform will certainly not be able to reproduce completely all functions, but in the history of ISH we shall be quite definitely experiencing the evolutionary launch of a new generation of trade fair. Both Messe Frankfurt and the industry will benefit from this experience, and over the next few years ISH will undergo a transformation, becoming an innovative hybrid leading international trade fair: wholly to the advantage of visitors and exhibitors.

For more information visit www.ish.messefrankfurt.com

Every day we make choices. Some are conscious and some are unconscious but choice is an integral part of our everyday lives. In business, we regularly make choices that determine whether an interaction will be positive or negative and these choices are often influenced by external influences.

For example, how a customer is greeted upon entering your premises can have a massive impact on the rest of their engagement with you and your business. Your staff member’s choice of greeting could be the result of something in their personal life that happened that morning (a difficult commute in heavy traffic, for example, or even something as simple as stubbing a toe).

So, as a business owner, how do you ensure that challenging events or influencing circumstances are not having a ripple effect within your business?

It’s important to recognise that everyone has different levels of resilience and these levels will ebb and flow over time. External influences that are within your business are within your control so it is vital as a business owner to be aware of and address anything within the business environment that could be affecting your staff.

But, equally so, there are personal circumstances that are completely outside your control.

As the person at the top, you have the unique ability to set the tone within your business and lead by example, as well as empower your staff to look at the choices they make and be more conscious of how their choices affect their work environment.

To use the “stubbed toe” example, this painful event can have a ripple effect of focussing on the critical voice inside your head that berates you for your clumsiness. In turn this could lead you to miss a “good morning” from your neighbour or cause you to react negatively within a completely separate situation.

Learning to make choices around where we focus our energy and attention will influence the outcomes we create, both within our work lives and personal lives. As a business owner, helping your staff navigate this learning path can be a hugely beneficial investment in your business as you create not only a more positive work place but a more engaging and constructive experience for customers.

In past workshops, I’ve noticed the topic of choices can be quite challenging as it is often hard for attendees to see past the negative consequences. Making a choice to focus on having a positive interaction, rather than a negative one, is not a skill that everyone is born equipped with. But it is a skill that can be learned and, when reinforced within a business setting, can be a very valuable tool that enhances the customer experience.

Here are some questions to ask yourself about your own reactions and choices:

• Are your choices supportive or disruptive?
• Am I choosing avoidance or procrastination?
• Am I making choices that support a positive outcome for myself and others I come into contact with?
• Am I focussing on what I want, rather than what I don’t want?

At Redman Training & Development, we specialise in creating customised courses and workshops that will teach your management team and staff these vital skills that will ultimately benefit every aspect of your business.

For more information visit redmantd.com.au/

Having won over many homeowners in 2020, wallpaper is set to be a must-have this year. A well-chosen design can complement an aesthetic or introduce bold elements to a room. Personal relationships with nature, materials and colours will be a focus in 2021. Purples and blues, accompanied by deep greens and soft yellows will set the tone, combined in organic and geometric shapes.

In 2020, we saw the emergence of Biophilic design, the desire to bring the outside in to connect with the natural elements. This connection was of ever-increasing importance to our health and wellbeing in urban society, as research[1] has shown that even indirect elements of nature help reduce stress, blood pressure and promotes wellbeing.

Wallpaper trend #1: Forecast – The Future is Now

Forward focused while incorporating the past, Forecast is inspired by the vivid 80s, embracing ultraviolet purples and pixelated elements. Breaking through the “less is more” minimalist motto that has been prominent in the last few years, this modern 80s trend will return with playful shapes, bold colours and eccentric patterns.

Nostalgia became an interior inspiration in 2020 as we longed for times before the pandemic, but as we look to 2021 many will want to inject memories of their past with vibrancy and joy.

Wallpaper trend #2: Recharge – Self Care and Comfort

Relaxing at home will never go out of style, making interiors that reduce stress, calm and sooth a big trend for 2021. Recharge embodies balance and geometry with a need to create order through simplified structures and architectural references, such as circular shapes, cocoon-like spaces and the multi-functionality of our homes. Additionally, beautiful botanicals, greys, blues and pastels will create an experience of tranquillity.

This trend will also reiterate the importance of our relationship with nature and the need to feel close to the outdoors due to the calmness it brings us.

Wallpaper trend #3: Authentic – Back to our Roots

In difficult times, we look to those we love, making social connection a powerful priority for home design in 2021. For many, injecting a sense of homeliness and togetherness, while embodying happier times into their spaces will be a must.

The Authentic trend recalls the rich and comforting earth tones of the decade is further reflected in the return of oblong shapes, velvet textures, geometric ornaments and kitsch, energetic patterns.

Wallpaper trend #4: Impulse – In the Spotlight

Impulse is driven by our urge for experience. This ‘show time’ inspired trend focuses on intricate and ornate motifs. Moving away from the mid-century modern aesthetic, the art deco design movement will see a resurgence and will feature bold geometric shapes and sleek artistry in the architecture of the home.

As we invest more in craftsmanship and attention detail, we find that decadent arches and bold floral displays are notable features of this trend. Expect deep purples, berries and jewel influenced tones, combined with rich and velvety textures.

Wallpaper trend #5: Shapeshifter – Transform and Adapt

As the name suggests, Shapeshifter is all about adapting to our surroundings. For the past couple of years, we have been focused on achieving perfection in terms of our design styles, perfect shapes and neat interiors. However, a year on from the outbreak of COVID-19 where we were all thrust back to basics, we can now look to embrace imperfection in the way we style our homes.

A blend of glitchy elements and hallucinogenic features drive this trend which mixes deep purple tones with statement greens and grounding greys. The divine elements of geometry combined with the wild and bold features of nature encapsulate a main trend of 2021.

Once a major investment in a home’s look, wallpaper is now a design element that can be easily changed with the trends thanks to removable options, like Superfresco Easy. Its ‘Paste the Wall’ technology allows homeowners and even renters alike to quickly put up wallpaper without the need for messy pasting tables and can be peeled off by hand without feat of ruining the wall beneath.

Superfresco Easy is available across Australia in Bunnings Warehouse and Independent Hardware Group stores, with prices starting at RRP $60 per roll. For more information click here.

[1] 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design 2014 Terrapin Bright Green

So, let’s look at two trade fairs – ones we have visited in the past – to see what their online events will look like, and what they have planned.

ISH – 22 to 26 March 2021

ISH 2021 will take the form of a purely digital event and offer a wide variety of interesting features including, for example, exhibitor presentations (products, specifications, videos, contact persons, chat function, one-to-one video calls), as well as intelligent, AI-aided matchmaking with suitable business contacts for lead generation. Additionally, there will be live streams and on-demand transmissions of the programme of events, as well as an appointments system for online meetings with exhibitors. All features will be available worldwide during the event around the clock and across all time zones.

Interzum – 4 to 7 May 2021

The Interzum digital platform’s goal is to maximise overall reach in the current situation: developing new international contacts is just as important as maintaining contacts with existing customers. Besides networking, interzum@home will focus on products and insights as well. The digital exhibitor showroom, appearances on the Product Stage, round tables and virtual cafés are just some of the many possibilities for presenting products and solutions, knowledge and trends. Even in the face of the corona pandemic, this ensures interzum will reach a global audience – and therefore also decision-makers and opinion leaders on every continent on Earth.

“In these extraordinary times, Koelnmesse’s interzum@home offering provides us with an optimal way to bridge the gap until interzum 2023. That’s very welcome from the industry’s side. The digital platform enables us to present our products and innovations to a broad audience and thus achieve maximum reach, even if it certainly can’t replace a physical trade fair,” says Dr. Andreas Hettich, chairman of the interzumadvisory committee. With Hettich, Blum, Häfele and Vauth-Sagel, the first market leaders have already announced that they will be presenting their new launches digitally on interzum@home.

For more information or to register your digital attendance visit interzum.com/

As a designer, we know it’s important to keep challenging yourself, to stay abreast of current design trends, and to be in touch with the latest colours, styles and products. But, at the same time, we want (and expect) designers to find their own indelible style and create unique pieces.

Where do you get your design ideas from? Do you research? Do you visit international (when we’re allowed out of the country) trade fairs, or visit local design shows? Do you watch television? Or read industry journals?

Maybe you’ve seen a kitchen or bathroom you really admire? Maybe you spotted a colour combination you’d never envisaged before but now you want to give it a try? Possibly you saw a corner solution or a kitchen island design or a shower screen that’s exactly what you need for a project?

So, at what point does your admiration go from taking inspiration to clear imitation? These are very murky waters and designers, artists and musicians have been navigating them for years. Think of how many times recently you’ve heard of a musician accused of copying a riff or melody from another song.

When we return from visiting an overseas design show, I’m often asked to give presentations to industry associates about the latest trends and interesting designs we’ve seen. It’s something I love but I’m always very conscious to open my presentation with a disclaimer. In presenting each of the designs, I’m not advocating we transport the kitchen or bathroom in its entirety into an Australian home. Rather, I’m showcasing elements of the interior space that are relevant to the way we design here and the types of design work we do.

I ask members of the audience to take inspiration from the designs I present and to find something in the designs that they can take and apply – in their own way – to a future design. In this way, they are still making something that is indelibly theirs, rather than a direct copy of someone else’s work. The challenge is to apply enough of your own style and character to the design that it becomes uniquely theirs, and distinct from the original form of inspiration.

But how many new ideas can an industry generate? Even Shakespeare, venerated for his writing, wit and creativity, plagiarised many of his plays. Yet we today hold him to such esteem his plays are studied by students in high school and university. Is it because so much time has passed, and the original playwrights long deceased, that it ceases to be an issue? If so, how long is enough time? We have no way of knowing whether it was an issue for the original playwrights at the time but it would be safe to say that recourse was probably not the same as today.

If another designer takes inspiration from your work or ideas, how much do they need to change to make it their own? Who gets to decide how much is enough? Ultimately, if it gets that far, a court is able to assess and decide but it’s rarely worth the time and money cost of taking such an action.

There are no easy answers but having continual open discussion around the issue is vitally important for all in the design industry. We’d love to know what you think.

It’s really common to feel as though you’d really prefer to run and hide when the terms “marketing” and “plan” are used in the same sentence. Many business owners are put off by the fact they feel a marketing plan needs to be a novel-like document and the sheer size of the perceived document makes it very difficult to get started.

I’m here to tell you, your marketing plan can be effective, realistic and achievable AND be completed on a single A4 page so stick with me and I’ll work you through how to crate a killer one-page marketing plan.

Before you start, remember that a marketing plan is essentially a roadmap. Just like your favourite maps app, it gives you the directions needed to effectively implement a marketing plan. So, importantly, it is specific about exactly what you want to achieve.

An effective marketing plan doesn’t just tell you where you want to end up. It’s also incredibly detailed about what you want to achieve and how you want to get there. Any marketing plan should cover the main areas of Who, What, Where, When, How and Why.

All marketing is essentially storytelling so make sure your marketing plan includes information about how you intend to share your story and the important points within your story that set you, your team and your business apart from others.

I tend to find most businesses struggle to identify their core or ideal customer or audience. And this element is, in my opinion, the most important step in any marketing plan. If you don’t know who you are talking to, there is no way you can craft your marketing message to engage with your audience, nor can you adequately understand and address their needs.

Another point I’ll make here is about your goals. In talking to many businesses in the renovation industry, many people find it difficult to narrow down and identify their core goals. “Making money” is not a goal because it’s not specific enough. All businesses need to make money – it’s why they exist. But you need to be clearer about how much is enough and how you will benchmark and then measure any growth.

An effective marketing plan will also need to clearly set out the steps you wish to take in order to achieve your goals. Again, we need to see the detail here: who will be in charge, what will they do, where will they be or where will the activity take place, how will they implement the plan, when will the activity occur and why are they doing what they are doing.

Here are the essential elements of every marketing plan:

Mission Statement – be specific here, talk about the experience you want your customer to have.

Target Market/Niche – this is a description of the type of person/business you want to attract.

Competitors – List the items or experiences that compete with your business for your client’s attention.

Opposition – List the businesses or expenses you feel are your opposition for your client’s expenditure.

Goals – be specific about what you want to achieve and by when. You are aiming for around 4-5 dot points in this section.

KPIs – these need to relate back to the goals and detail how you will know you have been successful.

Strategies – these also need to relate back to your goals and will detail the steps you will take to meet the KPIs.

If you need help to get started you can download our useful one-page template here MARKETING PLAN FOR XYZ JOINERY PTY LTD.

Function of Space

In the past year, the long-recognised ‘hub of the home’ has hosted a variety of tasks alongside traditional kitchen duties. With homeschooling, working from home and a renewed enthusiasm (by necessity) for in-house cooking and entertaining, well-designed, multi-functional spaces are more important than ever.

Bathrooms will further transform from a utilitarian space into a wellness escape, as set out below.

Wellness in Design

A well-designed kitchen or bathroom will encourage wellness in several ways:

• Natural light and refreshing and invigorating palettes can make an enormous difference to the ‘vibe’ of a home, and minimise feelings of claustrophobia.
• Access to natural airflow, practical air ventilation and thoughtful storage planning, combined with sensitive product specifications, can reduce toxic exposure in the home.
• Ergonomic consideration and future-planning can create an environment that will accommodate accessibility for a range of abilities and ages.

Colours, Patterns & Texture

KBDi anticipate an exciting shift in home environment finishes, with a variety of inspiration sources:

• A renewed appreciation for nature will see earth and sea-inspired hues work their way into our palettes. Cool whites will be ‘warmed up’ with brown-based creams, beiges, tan and terracotta tones. Forest greens and sea-blues will feature more distinctly.
• As international travel stalls, KBDi look forward to seeing how consumers and designers introduce flavours of afar into home design. Through colour, texture and pattern, homeowners have a fantastic opportunity to add glimpses of their favourite cities to their everyday environment.

Appliance, Product and Material Specifications

As many Australians move to work from home on a more regular basis, KBDi have seen a considerable uptake of appliances once reserved for office premises. KBDi partners have reported a significant increase in sales in boiling water taps, sparkling water taps and microwaves as homes convert to live-in offices.

Hygiene and air quality will be of greater interest to homeowners focussing on health. KBDi expect to see more emphasis placed on the antibacterial properties of benchtops and tiles (grouts, specifically), and the chemical make-up (VOCs) of paints, cabinetry and furnishings. There will be more attention paid to air extraction systems – both in kitchens and bathrooms – and a greater appreciation for natural airflow.

For more information, visit www.kbdi.org.au

Obviously, the new year hasn’t been a magic reset button and many of the COVID (and other) challenges we faced in 2020 are still with us in 2021. The vaccine is yet to be rolled out in Australia and it remains to be seen how quickly it is able to be given, and how that affects the various restrictions and border closures.

One thing 2020 taught us, more than anything else, is how much of our face-to-face business can be conducted online. I’m not suggesting one can substitute for another in its entirety but many businesses have maintained normal (or close to normal) operations with staff working from home, conducting meetings online and even conducting sales presentations and customer meetings in a virtual setting.

It’s reasonable to expect our travel – interstate and definitely international – to be restricted for the better part of the rest of this year so I’m imagining this will affect supplier reps who might normally travel from state-to-state to visit customers. Designers and builders who would normally visit clients in their homes or host meetings in showrooms have mostly been able to continue this practice – but with COVID-safe measures in place – and/or replace some face-to-face meetings with online equivalents.

Some roles are impossible to carry out from home – showroom staff or factory workers, for example. But many other office-based positions have now been proven to be workable in a more flexible work-at-home arrangement. I would expect these staff members would be in a strong negotiating position to be lobbying business owners to allow this to continue, even as we exit the COVID restrictions currently in place. Business owners who have traditionally not supported flexible working situations will probably find it more difficult to argue against a request made by a staff member if they have proven it is workable and profitable.

We’ve certainly seen a new appreciation among consumers for the comforts of home – given that many of us have spent far more hours in our dwellings than we would under normal circumstances. And, with the limitations of no holidays and no need for other investment items such as new cars, it makes sense that our industry has at its disposal a huge base of potential customers, ready and waiting to improve their homes.

It’s not rocket science to predict a rise of activity within the renovation sector in 2021 – after all, we already saw quite an increase in 2020. Where I think we’ll start to see a change is how renovation companies engage with and conduct business with customers. Businesses have seen the potential, and cost savings, in conducting initial appointments online allowing customers to reach out in a non-threatening environment to make a connection with a company they are considering.

An initial online meeting can also be time-limited – almost like speed dating – so both parties have an opportunity to see if their needs and services are aligned. But in this way, you are still able to make a personal connection with your potential client in a more meaningful way than an initial conversation on the phone.

Design and concept presentations can now also be done online – some designers with interstate clients have been doing this for some time, but I suspect we’ll see a rise in popularity as this means couples can dial in from work (say, on a lunch break) and don’t need to be in the same place or give up work time to be at home for a meeting. I’m also making a call that an online shopping appointments will be come popular with designers able to “walk” their client through a suppliers website to discuss options for fittings, fixtures etc.. and look at some of the features and benefits of specific items. As an initial discussion, this could be a huge time-saver rather than driving around to multiple showrooms.

COVID has meant that we are all now online much more than we used to be – and we used to be online a lot! This means our clients are doing more research and are more informed before they come to us and that means you all need to be online more as well, whether it’s via your social channels or with more content on your website, maybe even starting an informative series on YouTube, IGTV or Facebook Lives in order to engage.

It’s the age of online technology so that means many businesses will need to step up and really start taking this sector of their business seriously if they are not to be left behind as we head into 2022.

But designing a social media strategy is not as straightforward as it was in the past. With today’s algorithms, custom channels, posting options and platform choices it can be difficult for a business to know where to start.

So, here are our top tips for putting together a cohesive strategy that will allow your business to set and met your objectives and provide you with a guide that will drive your content creation.

Have an end-game in mind

Overall, you need to be clear on what you want to achieve from your social media channels. Know what success looks like for your business and set goals that are specific to your business framework. If you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, it will be impossible for you to set out the steps you need to take in order to get there.

Examples of end-game goals include increasing brand awareness, growing your database, generating sales, expanding your audience network, drive more traffic to your website – or a combination of all these.

Competitor analysis

The start of even the most basic marketing plan is a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis. Technology today gives you the chance to look at what your competitors are doing and analyse ways you can set yourself apart. There are a variety of third-party competitor analysis tools which allow you to gain insights from their activity.

It’s important you stick to your business principals and not be swayed by what you see your competitors doing. The idea isn’t to copy – rather the goal is to seek ways to differentiate your business from the others and optimise your strategy for the benefit of your business.

Know your Audience

This isn’t a new concept but you’d be surprised how many businesses aren’t able to clearly articulate their target audience or ideal client. And this leads to muddled marketing messages and, more often than not, disappointment in marketing campaigns.

There are a number of analytical tools you can use to learn more about your audience and find out if you are attracting the right clientele. Analytics tools can be attached to your website and all your social media channels to provide valuable insights into who is engaging with you, how, when, why and where.

Content creation

Any social media strategy will focus on content – and most of your energy will be devoted to working out what to post, when to post, which channels to use, what times and days work best, and how to produce engaging content.

If your brand is highly visual then we recommend developing a compelling visual theme which should be in keeping with your businesses brand. Different platforms will utilise your content in a variety of ways so it’s important to think about how your visual theme can be applied across each platform.

Carefully consider the type of content you will post and when. We highly recommend the use of a scheduling program which allows you to pre-plan and load posts ready to go live at critical times. A social media calendar also allows you to look at a week-by-week or month-by-month overview to check the spread of posts and the types of posts.

The magic of Metrics

As with any marketing campaign, your social media strategy should be governed by data so you need to focus on the metrics that matter. “Likes” are sometimes referred to as vanity metrics because they don’t really tell you much about your true audience.

Rather than focussing on how many “likes” a post received, it’s better to analyse the reach (how many people saw your post), clicks (did they click on the link you provided?), and engagement (did they comment or share your post?). It’s also best practice to analyse the difference between your paid posts and your organic posts as this will help provide direction for your paid advertising programs.

Analyse and Assess

This step is critical in any social media plan – you must look at the results of your posts to see what is working and what isn’t. This, in turn, allows you to look at ways you can improve your posts or capitalise on something that has really resonated with your audience.

Also, it’s vital to understand if you’re not hitting the mark. If your engaged audience is not your target audience you’ll need to pivot and re-work your content to suit. Or maybe you should consider targeting the engaged audience with a special offer or personalised product?

Analysis will also let you know which campaigns were most successful and this also allows you to “test the market” with a few versions of one campaign to see which one is having the most impact. Then you can fine-tune your advertising investment accordingly.

There’s no doubt the social media landscape is a dynamic environment and platforms like to keep us on our toes by changing their algorithms regularly. But with this handful of simple steps, you can build a social media strategy that allows you to react to changes and ensure you’re maximising your return on investment.

Obviously, one of the key steps in your marketing plan is to know your customers and build a profile of what they “look” like in general terms. An important part of this profile is a customer’s search terms as this can tell you a lot about what your customers want answers to.

By “listening” to what your customers are searching, you can tailor your online experience to match your answers to their questions. Lots of search terms start with “how to…” or “where do I find…” so researching these frequently asked questions allow you to formulate answers that are truly engaging with your audience.

It’s said you need to ask the right question in order to get the right answer but in this case it’s a matter of having the right answer ready for when your customer goes looking.

When writing your customer profile, include important elements such as what your customers value, what matters to them, and what motivates them. Once you know this, you can use your online presence to connect them with what they search online (hopefully this is your products and services). What your customers search will tell you a lot about what matters to them – are they looking for information, are they looking for products/services, are they looking for inspiration or are they looking for something else?

The type of device used for the search will also give you some great information about how “techy” your customers are. If most of your searches are being carried out on a tablet or laptop/computer this indicates a larger screen and therefore you can be more specific with your material. If most of your customers are searching on a smartphone, you’ll need a comprehensive mobile strategy and consider whether auto-complete might help with frequently asked questions.

Also, don’t forget to look at when your customers are online and actively in “search” mode. The time of day the searches are being carried out will provide information about their state of mind. If they are searching at lunchtime (when time might be limited), having short, clear, easy to digest and access information will be important. If they are searching in the evening, they may have more time to spend online engaging with your products and/or services.

Don’t forget to take note of the increase in voice searches available with today’s technology. Voice searches tend to be carried out in normal conversation, which is different to what your customer would write if they were typing into a search engine. Voice searches tend to ask a full question whereas it’s more common to use two or three-word phrases when typing into a search box.

Your analytical tools will capture much of this information and provide you with additional insight into what your customers do when they interact with your answers or solutions to their questions. This part of the process is crucial to understanding and connecting with your customers. You must follow through with information that not only meets their needs but also provides value. For example, if someone has searched “how to” do a certain task and you don’t actually provide this information on your site, you will immediately lose credibility.

The more you “listen” to your customer’s searches, the more you can tailor your response to meet your needs across your entire online network from your website to your social media presence. Your goal – at all times – is to deliver the content, products, services or information when and where your customers need it.

Let’s face it – a search is often the first way your customer will interact with you and they are using it to let you know what they want. So, take the time to listen to what they are telling you.

First, it depends on whether the review was warranted or not. Before you jump to respond, take some time to look into the feedback. Was this person actually a client? You might need to talk to a variety of staff members to look into exactly what happened from their perspective. Check the facts as presented by the review – do they match your company’s recollection of what happened?

If the person was not a client, or you believe the review might be posted by an alias, you can try reporting the review to the platform on which it has been left (for example, Google or Facebook) but these platforms are notoriously slow and lax in removing “fake” reviews (unfortunately). So, the best way to respond is acknowledge their comment but state clearly that you cannot find any record of having dealt with this person. Then ask them to contact you privately.

While this approach won’t remove the review, it does flag to potential customers that this is probably not a real review and can lessen the impact of the negative feedback.

If the person was a client, and your company really did make a mistake then the best method of dealing with their anger and frustration is to own up and apologise. And, here’s the thing with apologies – you have to actually mean them for them to be effective.

Don’t respond in anger and don’t try to deflect. You also don’t need to write a novel as your response. You don’t want to air your dirty laundry online so best practice is a short acknowledgement and a request for them to contact you so you can address the issues. Something like:

“Hi John. Thanks for your feedback. We’re genuinely sorry you’ve had this experience as it’s not in keeping with our usual high standards. Please reach out to us via phone or email or PM/DM us so we can talk about how we can resolve the situation.”

If the person was a client, but you feel the review is unwarranted or doesn’t adequately address their role in the situation, it’s much trickier. As justified as you may feel in calling them out, when playing the ‘blame game’ in this situation, the company will lose every single time and you risk igniting the flames of a war you simply can’t win.

Best practice in this situation is to acknowledge and take the conversation off-line. Something like:

“Hi John. Thanks for your feedback. We’d like to try to resolve this issue with you as we’ve checked our records and there are always two sides to any story. Would you please contact us by phone or email or PM/DM us so we can discuss further?”

Each situation will be unique and different clients will respond in varying ways so you do need to take into account what you know about the personality of the client and how they are likely to respond. In some cases, if you can disarm them, address their issues and rectify the situation you can ask them to remove the negative review.

Of course, the best way to counter a negative review is to overbalance the scales with positive reviews. So, make sure you have a foolproof system of asking for reviews from every customer. As part of your closing process for every job, you should have a standardised email that is sent to all clients with links to all the platforms you have where a review can be left. The email should thank them for being a customer and clearly ask them to leave a review for you. Make this a clear request – don’t simply hope they will read through the lines and work out that’s what you are asking for.

If a client emails you their feedback, always respond with thanks and include links to your review platforms with a request for them to add their review there as well.

How to respond to negative reviews should be a key component of your company’s social media policy so everyone in your business is clear on the procedures around how to respond, who will respond and when you will make the response.

For any business owner, time is money. And the amount of time spent creating quotes – and not winning the job – can be incredibly costly. Most joinery businesses focus on increasing leads but, in my opinion, it’s not about how many leads you are generating, it’s about how many of them are “A” grade leads and how many of THEM you convert into sales. The quoting process consumes so much of your time, it’s important you create sales process to ensure that, when you spend your time with a lead, they are likely to be an “A” grade lead that will convert into a job.

Psychologically, we know people are more likely to make a purchase when they feel certain the end result is what they want. When your ‘end result’ taps into their wants and needs, rather than focusing on selling them what you do, your conversion rates will go up.

If we look at the majority of your leads, most will likely be somewhere between ‘cold’ and ‘warm’ at their first point of contact with you. If you are receiving too many ‘cold’ contacts, then your marketing strategy isn’t really working like it should. The goal is to have most customers contacting you when they are ‘warm’ and already know a bit about you and your services. In this way, they want ‘you’ and not your ‘price’.

In my experience, there are clear steps along the path from a lead to a conversion and where most business owners stumble is when they don’t create this path so they can take their leads on this journey.  Without a process that has a known outcome, in this case conversions, it is impossible to repeat the process to repeatedly get the same result.

We often hear about “bad customers” that don’t pay or appreciate your work. They most often are your non-A grade leads that you have allowed to become a customer. The best first step you can have in a sales process is to first determine if the lead is in fact an A grade lead, and if not, it is best to not go much further with them so you do have time to spend on the A grader’s.

Address and remove objections at every step. This part is incredibly important because if there are objections and they are not dealt with, the client will never successfully move to the next step and you’ll be racing ahead of them. It’s incredibly important that the dialogue is not about selling at this stage, it should be focussed on building a long-term relationship with the client.

In other words – conversions happen in conversations.

Here are my tried-and-tested steps to conversion success:

1. The client should contact you.
   Remember, you can’t be available to everyone, all the time. So, here is where I find a call scheduling program highly effective. Booking a call means you can make sure you are available, not distracted, and at a time best suited for both of you. This is also where you can ask enough questions to determine if they are “A” grade or not.
2. The client needs to come to YOU.
   The results I have ever seen in this process are when they come to your showroom, office or factory first to have a meeting. The whole process is geared around building value and trust and the best way to do that is to have them meet you in YOUR space. They can see from your space how professional you are, they can look through selections, they can see the standards in your factory. Remember, they are trying to decide if you are the right person for them – so seeing you in your space is a great way to help them do that.
3. Give them your time.
   Now is the time to give to your client. Visit their space, talk about the design and the steps in the process, make an initial sketch, talk about design ideas.
4. Make this process time limited.
   There must be a point where a lead becomes a client … or they don’t.  There will always be a yes or no result.  It best to have a point in this process where you simply ask if they “want to work with you?”  Rather than have an open-ended time frame where the lead can keep asking for revision after revision, have a point where you do enough for them to ask them to make a decision.  If you have done this process well (like our clients learn to do) you will often get a yes much earlier in the process and this means the drawing work you do after this point is paid for.  No need to think about charging for your designs if all your leads become paying customers!

This qualification process means they will decide if they want you and whether they want you now.

But remember, the process works both ways. You should also have a quick checklist to determine if they are a match with your business as a customer.

1. Relationship: do I like them? Are they approachable? Do they take advice well?
2. Why me: Why did they choose me? Are they a referral? What do they know about me? Do they want us or our expertise?
3. Wants: do they know what they want? Do they know what they like? Does this fit with what we do?
4. Needs: do they have a timeline? Can we meet the timeline?
5. Solution: can we solve their problem?

Be prepared to say “no” to a client if you feel they are not a match with your business. If you say “yes” to every client without using your checklist you risk disappointment and negative experiences on both sides.

About the author: Bruce Poling worked for many years as a cabinetmaker and ran his own successful joinery business. After selling his cabinetmaking business in 2002, he segued into business coaching and now applies his passion for the industry towards helping other joinery, furniture and cabinetmaking businesses reach their potential. Bruce and his “dream team” of highly experienced coaches offer help to suit the varying needs of all joinery businesses. Their hugely successful Joinery GPS Program has helped hundreds of joinery business owners grow into thriving businesses. For more information visit thejoinerycoach.com

The upsurge of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the building and renovation industry. While some contractors, owners, interior designers, and supply chain vendors are enduring a low-level impact, many others are finding themselves completely overwhelmed by the situation.

Construction and renovation activities are either facing a slowdown or have come to a complete halt due to the unavailability of goods or manpower resources. All these complications impel us to analyse, rethink, and find solutions for both, the short-term, as well as, the long-term ramifications of COVID-19 on our businesses.

4 Ways in Which the Pandemic is Affecting Construction Businesses

1. Disruptions in the Supply Chain – In the last 10 years or so, Australian builders and construction companies started importing raw materials heavily from overseas destinations, especially China. Almost 60 percent of the raw materials which are used in the construction businesses in Australia are imported from China. But due to the pandemic situation, manufacturing units in China are shut down, which has significantly reduced the volume of exports they were earlier supplying. Shortage of materials like aluminium, tiling, electrical parts, carpets, lifts, and glazing is being recorded everywhere.
2. Restriction of the Movement – Since domestic as well as international movement of raw materials is now quite restricted, getting supplies or manpower from other destinations is either a considerably slow process or is not an option altogether. This shortage in supply has led to the depletion of local resources pretty quickly which has become the cause for either substantially higher costs, or degraded quality, or both.

3. Higher Costs of Materials – Costs of raw materials and services has gone up tremendously not only because there’s a lack of supply, but also, because of the weaker Australian dollar. Importing goods on time has become really difficult so sourcing them from local vendors is the only option. But due to this increased pressure on the local vendors, the costs have gone up and yet there are long delays.

4. Operational Difficulties Due to Social Distancing – As much as a 60 percent decrease in productivity has been reported in construction works throughout Australia because of social distancing norms. Since you have to maintain strict social distancing, you can convene only a small number of trades on the site at any given point of time. This has become one of the most stressful issues for the contractors – how to operate with such limited manpower? Some people are experimenting with split-shifting, while some are trying to accommodate more workers with better hygiene practices.

What is the ‘New Normal’ for Construction Workers and Businesses?

All these hurdles urge our community to renovate our existing ways so that we could adapt to the ‘new normal’ as seamlessly and quickly as possible. But what is this new normal, let’s try to understand –

• Support from the Government – The Government of Australia declared construction works as ‘essential services’ during the lockdowns. To make things easier for building and renovation companies, governments of Victoria and New South Wales have implemented a number of new rules. You can now extend your operations on the weekends and on public holidays as well. Some renovation companies are also trying to acquire permissions to gain 24-hour access to their construction sites.

These initiatives might seem like small improvements, but they are wonderful examples to inspire everyone to start looking out for solutions in order to deal with the current situation. Also, the recently announced $130 billion ‘Job Keeper Stimulus’ would help support our businesses in these tough times. 

• Focus on Government Funded Projects – The ‘new normal’ entails us to shift our focus to publicly funded projects, especially those projects which are directly or indirectly related to the healthcare sector. Other important sectors include – education and defence. This would automatically mean putting a temporary hold on the retail and residential projects, but this would greatly enhance our businesses’ chances of survival in the long run.
• Construction Costs Would Decrease – Since the number of projects has been reduced, you can expect a declining curve in the costs of constructions due to reduced demand for raw materials as well as labour forces. Also, because the economy would be severely impacted, investments on the other side of the pandemic would not be as robust as they were before.
• Recovery Rate – Building and renovation industry contributes to approx 9 percent of our country’s GDP. So, post-pandemic, we need to recover as quickly as we can to help our economy recover as well. It would be important to fast track pipelined projects and to keep working under somewhat strenuous conditions to the best of our abilities.
• Seek Professional Help – Since we are all dealing with an unknown and unfamiliar situation, at times when you have to make the big decisions, do not hesitate to seek professional help from lawyers, physicians, or insurance professionals. Especially if you have to send scheduling or project suspension notices, or you need to figure out anything related to workplace safety compliance or Occupational Safety and Health Administration contact an expert to seek his/her counsel.

It would also be beneficial to remain in touch with other owners, contractors, sub-contractors, and material suppliers. In these challenging times, we need to help each other out and together, we need to make sure we come out of this stronger and more resilient than ever before.

About the author: Sina Sadeghpour is Director of ImpeccaBuild. Providing interior fit-outs designed for the 21st Century, ImpeccaBuild combines stunning aesthetics with highly functional fit-outs. Passionate about designing projects that are innovative, sustainable and delivering excellent value. From project management through to design and fitout, ImpeccaBuild provides a complete end-to-end interior fitout solution for all industries.

At the higher end of the market, ten percent of homeowners spent $150,000 or more on their home renovations. Nearly half of homeowners reported a renovating project in 2019, (48 percent), tackling nearly three interior rooms on average. When the study was fielded
in early 2020, planned activity for the year remained consistent with the previous year, however, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on planned renovation activity remains to be seen.

Baby Boomers (ages 55-74) accounted for nearly half of renovating homeowners in 2019 (45 percent), an increase from 2018 (40 percent). Gen Xers and Millennials follow in renovation activity with nearly 39 percent and 14 percent of home renovators, respectively. Gen Xers and Baby Boomers reported the highest median renovation spend in 2019 at $20,000 and $18,500 each. Millennials followed, with a median spend of $12,000. Kitchens commanded the highest median spend at $15,000, a decline from previous years, followed by master bathrooms ( $13,000) and guest bathrooms ($10,000), which both experienced increases in median spend compared with the previous year.

More than half of renovating Baby Boomers do not have plans to move out of their homes within the next decade (53 percent ). Baby Boomers and Gen Xers were motivated to pursue a home renovation project because they’ve wanted to do it all along and finally had the time (39 and 30 percent, respectively) and financial means (42 and 39 percent, respectively). The biggest motivation for Millennials was to customise a recently purchased home (38 percent).

The Houzz & Home survey was fielded prior to the declaration of the Coronavirus pandemic,
between February and March, 2020. At that time, nearly half of homeowners planned to
continue or start renovations this year (48 percent), and nearly one-third of homeowners
planned to make repairs (29 percent). Subsequent surveys* have shown that four in five homeowners who were in the midst of a project at the start of the pandemic were able to continue with renovations. That said, some homeowners have opted to delay certain elective renovations due to implications related to social contact, labour and material availability and personal discretionary spending.

Preparing for a renovation in 2019 took homeowners longer than it did to actually renovate, on average. While construction took between 2.4 and 5.7 months on average for different types of projects, the planning phase took roughly twice as long. Kitchens require lengthy planning, averaging 11.1 months, compared with bathrooms (9.2 months). Surprisingly, entry, foyer or mudrooms, which typically command a smaller square footage, took nearly eight months on average to plan.

Nearly nine in 10 homeowners hired a home professional for renovation projects in 2019 (89 percent). Baby Boomers and Gen Xers were most likely to hire a pro for their project (89 percent, each), followed closely by Millennials (88 percent) who experienced a five percentage point growth in pro hiring compared to the previous year. Electricians and plumbers were the most common renovation professionals hired by renovating homeowners (60 and 45 percent, respectively).

While kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms and laundries continue to be the most popular rooms to renovate (23, 20, 17 and 17 percent, respectively), home offices were added or upgraded by more than one in ten homeowners in 2019 (11 percent). Millennials were more likely to pursue a home office project (15 percent) than Baby Boomers (nine percent).

Cash from savings was by far the most common form of home renovation payment (80 percent). The next most common source of funding was credit cards (20 percent), which was more commonly used by Gen Xers than the other generations.

The annual Houzz & Home survey is the largest survey of residential renovating, building and decorating activity published. The survey covers a wide range of renovation projects in 2019, from interior renovations and additions to home systems, exterior upgrades and outdoor projects. Data gathered includes historical and planned spends, professional involvement, motivations and challenges behind building, renovation and decorating projects, as well as planned activities for 2020. The 2020 study includes more than 4,500 respondents in Australia alone, providing insights into the home improvement activity of the millions of users of the Houzz site and mobile apps.

The full report is available here.

We often come across the misconception that business owners don’t want to get too personal but telling the story of your brand is one of the most successful ways to create a connection with your target market. When you engage with your customer, rather than trying to sell to them, you create longer lasting and more genuine relationships.

Storytelling has been a part of our culture for thousands of years for good reason. Stories are engaging, powerful, meaningful and emotive so, when used in a business context can create amazing connections between your brand and your customers. Brand stories are much more than just a bland recounting of the events within your business. A great brand story will build a narrative that resonates with your customers on an emotional level and pulls them in to want to know more about your company.

When people love your brand narrative they are more inclined to not only buy from you but give you repeat business and act as brand ambassadors when they “sell” your story to their peers.

So, what are the components of a great brand story?

At heart, you will want your customers to get to know your business so you’ll want to share your values, its history, what you and your team stand for, why does your business exist. You’ll also want to share your customer experience – we can use storytelling to share why customers chose your product or service and how it solved a problem or made a difference to them.

It really comes down to empathy. This is the magic emotive element that keeps your customers wanting more, whether you’re creating content about your team, sharing snippets of your day-to-day business, or revealing a new project – empathy is the one element that makes stories stick.

Ultimately, you want your potential clients to be able to “see” themselves in the stories and it’s here we can make current customers the hero of our story. In B2B marketing, a key element of engagement is showcasing how you overcame problems or provided solutions for customers. If you can do it for one customer, it’s highly likely your other potential customers have similar challenges and needs.

So, you create an experience where a potential customer can put themselves in the shoes of a current customer. Use real experiences to bring your story to life. Whether the hero of the story is your product or brand, or the customer, when you can get your potential customers to empathise with your story, you make an emotional connection that is hard to sway.

Don’t be afraid to share your personal story as part of the overall business’ story. As the business owner you will have passion and drive and a genuine reason for starting the business in the first place. As you share your values, potential customers can relate to the same values and this engenders trust – trust that you are working towards the same goals, that you share the same standards, and that you can provide the solution/experience/resolution they need.

Psychologically, we know through extensive studies that feeling an emotion enhances the memory process so the brand storytelling process has the ability to keep you front of mind when your potential clients are thinking about needing your products or services.

Your brand story doesn’t need to be a novel and it can be written in many parts. But once you have this valuable document written, it can be used to drive engagement on your website or social media platforms, in presentations or tender documents, by your sales team and in many ways that add value to your company’s marketing strategy.

Established in 1972, Let’s Talk Kitchens & Interiors (LTKI) is a mid to high-end, multi-award-winning company that offers quality, custom design solutions for all areas of the home that incorporate built in joinery & structural renovations. LTKI designs, builds and project manages bespoke kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, wardrobes, furniture and much more.

An opportunity exists for two experienced kitchen and bathroom designers or qualified interior designers with a flair for kitchen and bathroom design to join the successful, close-knit team. While the roles are primarily in the design and sales area, you will not be employed as a “salesperson”. LTKI’s ethos is based on doing the job creatively, thoroughly, correctly and ethically, with the client’s best interests at heart, so there is no need to “sell” its services.

Based in the Canterbury design studio, the successful candidates will use their design skills and building knowledge to consult with clients on a range of project types, from kitchens and bathrooms through to complete home renovations. You will be expected to meet with clients, both in the showroom and at their homes, to establish a design brief and create a design proposal to suit their lifestyle and needs. Also, you will be specifying and helping your clients select all finishes, fixtures and appliances for their project and preparing accompanying design drawings and documentation. Having costed the project, you will be required to produce a scope of works for each job liaising with our team of tradespeople.  You will also work closely with our scheduling and project management team to ensure your designs are executed and installed to the highest quality and guarantee satisfied, happy clients.

The successful candidates will have:

• Excellent design and CAD skills. Experience in Cabinet Vision, Pytha, AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, or similar.
• Minimum of Cert IV qualification in Kitchen & Bathroom design, or a recognised Interior Design qualification and/or similar building industry qualifications.
• A minimum of 5 years industry experience in a similar role designing domestic interior projects.
• Computer literate and proficient in the use of MS Office – Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.
• Creativity and ability to think outside the square.
• A life mindset that says, “If it is to be, it’s up to me”.
• Great communication skills and attention to detail.
• A preparedness to always do more than is expected of you and see yourself as a team player.
• A comprehensive knowledge of the home renovation process.
• An enthusiastic attitude and enjoys the thrill of the chase.

LTKI is offering a base retainer of $50,000/annum plus a very generous commission scheme which provides the potential for $150K.

Let’s Talk Kitchens & Interiors tries very hard to make earning a living fun, rewarding and profitable in a great team environment. Hard work is rewarded with great earning potential and the ability to enjoy a work/life balance. If you are interested in this opportunity, please email your covering letter and resume to info@letstalkkitchens.com.au

Rebecca established House of Social more than 8 years ago, recognising a gap in the market for full-service, professional Social Media Management. With her business growing, Rebecca expanded the service offering to include targeted Social Media Advertising, and website and logo design.

Melanie has been working in the kitchen and bathroom industry for more than 20 years as Editor of The Kitchen & Bathroom Blog and a tour director with Australian International Design Tours, as well as providing marketing consultancy services to the industry. Previously she was Managing Editor of the Universal Magazines stable of kitchen and bathroom publications.

As a combined force, Rebecca and Melanie are able to offer specialist digital marketing services to the kitchen, bathroom, interior design, cabinetmaking and joinery industries, with a unique understanding of the industry’s particular needs.

House of Social’s expanded range of services now includes social media management, social media targeted advertising including custom audience creation, social media training and consulting, website design and ongoing maintenance, logo design and company branding, copywriting (including website copy, blogs, brochures, press releases, award entries and more), and a variety of digital marketing solutions (including marketing plans, strategic marketing implementation and more).

Rebecca and Melanie are very excited about this next step for House of Social and look forward to ongoing relationships with existing clients as well as the opportunity to establish new connections with other members of the industry.

Stay in touch with House of Social

e: melanie@houseofsocial.com.au or rebecca@houseofsocial.com.au

w: houseofsocial.com.au

f: /houseofsocial.com.au/

i: houseofsocial.com.au/

LI: houseofsocial/